Americans warned of kidnapping, extortion as violent crime grips parts of tourist spot

The State Department updated its advisory for Ecuador on February 15, 2026, to include warnings about violent crime, kidnapping, and terrorism in certain regions. The advisory designates some areas as Level 4 (Do Not Travel) while rating Quito and the Galapagos Islands at lower advisory levels. The State Department did not specify which regions received the highest warning designation in its public statement.

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