{"id":24526,"date":"2026-08-21T19:39:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=24526"},"modified":"2026-08-21T19:39:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:39:54","slug":"us-state-department-warns-americans-about-kidnapping-risk-in-ecuador","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=24526","title":{"rendered":"US State Department warns Americans about kidnapping risk in Ecuador"},"content":{"rendered":"


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NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The State Department is warning Americans to steer clear of parts of a South American country as violent crime, terrorism and kidnapping raise safety concerns among tourists.<\/p>\n

The State Department this week issued a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for the nation of Ecuador.<\/p>\n

In the advisory, officials warned of widespread crime across Ecuador, including murders, assaults, kidnappings and armed robberies linked to drug trafficking.<\/p>\n

ROBBERIES, ASSAULTS AND RAPES SPUR NEW US TRAVEL WARNING FOR POPULAR CARIBBEAN GETAWAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Areas with transnational criminal organizations have much higher rates of violent crime,” officials said. “U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping and extortion.”<\/p>\n

The country sits between Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, along South America’s Pacific coast.<\/p>\n

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U.S. officials are urging Americans to exercise increased caution in Ecuador amid concerns over violent crime, terrorism and kidnapping.<\/span> (Rodrigo Buendia\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ecuador is sought by many tourists for its dramatic Andean landscapes and historic cities, as well as the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands.<\/p>\n

Americans make up Ecuador’s largest group of foreign visitors \u2014 accounting for roughly a third of international arrivals in 2025, according to Ecuador’s National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC).<\/p>\n

AMERICANS WARNED POPULAR TRAVEL ROUTES THIS SUMMER COULD CARRY CRIME AND KIDNAPPING RISKS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The heightened warnings cover several areas frequented by travelers, including parts of Guayaquil and the coastal provinces of Manab\u00ed and Santa Elena.<\/p>\n

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Travelers to Ecuador are being warned about murders, assaults, kidnappings and armed robberies linked to drug trafficking.<\/span> (Ricardo Landeta\/Xinhua via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Popular destinations such as Quito, Cuenca and the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are not among the areas designated “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel.”<\/p>\n

The advisory also referenced terrorist violence and civil unrest and reported that demonstrations can block roads and disrupt transportation and essential services.<\/p>\n

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“Most of Ecuador’s land is empty and remote, especially outside big towns and cities,” the advisory added.<\/p>\n

“Help from local authorities [and] the U.S. government may be very limited in remote areas, causing delays.”<\/p>\n

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Ecuador offers visitors a diverse travel experience spanning historic cities, Andean landscapes and destinations along the Pacific coast.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional comment.<\/p>\n

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The advisory follows a series of recent travel warnings issued by U.S. officials.<\/p>\n

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Earlier this summer, the U.S. renewed a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for the Bahamas.<\/p>\n

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Ecuador remains a popular destination for international travelers drawn to its cities, Andean landscapes and the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

That advisory cited violent crime, burglaries, sexual assaults and armed robberies.<\/p>\n

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Officials also updated the Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for Turks and Caicos in July due to assaults, petty crime and scams targeting tourists, particularly in popular tourist areas.<\/p>\n

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