On March 13, 2026, the President of the Republic issued Executive Decree No. 329, through which he ordered the reform of provisions related to the current state of exception, incorporating new measures regarding the restriction of freedom of movement, imposing a curfew in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, considered priority zones for security operations against organized crime. 1.

1. Amendment to the current State of Exception

Executive Decree No. 329 amends Executive Decree No. 277, dated December 31, 2025, which was in turn renewed by Executive Decree No. 311, dated February 28, 2026.
The amendment incorporates additional provisions related to the temporary suspension of the right to freedom of movement.

2. Suspension of the right to freedom of movement (Curfew)
The Decree orders the suspension of the right to freedom of movement in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Said suspension will cover the hours from 23:00 to 05:00.

3. Validity of the measure
The suspension of freedom of movement (curfew) is in effect from Sunday, March 15, 2026, until the end of the renewal of the state of exception, that is, until March 30, 2026.

4. Exceptions to mobility restrictions
The Decree establishes the following as exceptions for the application of the curfew:

• Health services of the national comprehensive public health network and the complementary private network.
• Law enforcement, complementary security entities, and risk management, emergency, and disaster services.

Persons within these exceptions must documentally prove their status before the competent authorities

5. Other relevant considerations Bulletin:

• The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) reported that, during the mobility restriction hours, circulation to and from the Guayaquil airport is guaranteed only for passengers and personnel linked to international flight operations, in order to ensure the continuity of air operations.
• To circulate during the curfew, passengers must carry their physical or digital boarding pass, while airport personnel must present their institutional ID or document accrediting their link to the air operation.
  

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