TLDR: More whites get killed but a much larger percentage of black people are killed by cops. Two women tourists rescued from kidnappers in Ecuador near its border with Colombia told how they feared they would be killed by their captors. Ecuador Kidnapping: British Woman Rescued Two tourists who were abducted at a nature reserve in Ecuador are said to be safe and in "good condition". Ranked: 10 Happiest And 10 Saddest Countries In The World, Top 20 Places Women Are Traveling In 2019, Dream Job Alert! No matter what white folks and some of the confused Latin people in the U.S. will justify the unjustifiable. One nice thing about Quito is their tourist police force who wear neon vests. Read thecountry information pagefor additional information on traveling to Ecuador. She and her safari guidewere kidnapped on April 2. Other factors, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security, also played a role. everyone will have their own story or experience to tell, but that has nothing to do with you. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. There is that tension as the OP said, but depending where you are, there can be safer and less safer places. Yes, Quito and Guayaquil can be very unsafe at night in certain neighbourhoods, but so is ANY large city in North America. Make your own way and experience. The Environment Ministry, however, said that just five tourists including the two who were taken were attacked. The Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador is monitoring the outbreak. The U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Colombian border area, as U.S. government personnel cannot travel to the provinces of Esmeraldas, Carchi, and Sucumbos without permission from the Embassys security office. You can only visit this place with a guided tour as the ecosystem here needs to be preserved. You Dropped Something someone points to the ground behind you and says you dropped something, then steals your bag while you look away. Anyone who harbours fear about travelling to Ecuador is denying themselves a visit to one of the most interesting an friendliest countries in the world. I lived and worked for almost two years in Ecuadorno, let me correct it, I have enjoyed of Ecuador for two years. Read article Transportation The rugged Andes and tracts of impenetrable rainforest present formidable barriers to overland exploring in Ecuador. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists on the streets, too. Thats all for today, except Merry Christmas to you both from Richland, WA. Cuenca is a wonderful place you can explore on foot. National Emergency Number: 190. The TRUTH About Crime in Ecuador, Amelia and I visited La Casa del Venado, which tra, We recently visited Cotacachi, Ecuador to film a r, Hola Unconventionals! Thieves usually force their victims to withdraw funds from an ATM or to arrange for family or friends to pay the ransom. If youre careful and dont stand out, you can be okay in Ecuador. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. They took their money and credit cards and pin numbers, drove them across the bridge to a remote, poor part of the city and, fortunately dropped them off after an hour, without harming them. However, this country isn't the safest in terms of females traveling solo, especially at night and you should exercise precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations. The State Department already issues travel advisories for every country around the world,withadvice oncrime, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, health and other potential dangers. Like anywhere in the world, there are ways to avoid dangerous places and situations. At night, my host sister and I walked together to restaurants. well I agree with that Ecuador is not very welcoming to Black people and Ive been going there twice a year for the past 13 years, and you wouldnt see any black people working at the airport , Banks or the malls the Bus company MetroVia has hundreds of buses but no black bus driverssupermarkets no black workers to be fair there is a few black police around and the older people are the most racist people you find anywhere on earth especially the older womensometimes I do feel sorry for the black people living therethere are no signs up but there are lines in the sand that black people are not allowed to cross. If youre using a car, dont store your valuables in plain sight. So the OP has now returned from the Galapagos and replied.World Traveller you certainly did not read the original post properly-it was obvious the OP group was catching a taxi from opposite the Ramada to some other hotel.To me this story is believable and with the OPs return should be kept in mind. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. The State Department this week announced a new risk indicator for its public travel advisories. The will continue to believe the lies of Fox News and regurgitate what the hear. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. 25 WEIRD THINGS CAUGHT ON SECURITY CAMERAS!Check out these crazy weird moments caught on security cameras.Subscribe to never miss a video!Leave a like . The situation in the country has calmed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. QUITO, Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso has declared a state of emergency to confront drug trafficking and other crimes in Ecuador, saying the military and . In this article, were going to shed some light on the real crime stats in Ecuador by comparing them to the United States, and were going to give you some common sense safety tips to help you avoid experiencing crime in Ecuador. I been visiting Ecuador many times and got pic-pocketed only ones in the Quito transit and by talking to the driver with help of just every one the tam was stopped and nobody was to leave until the police arrived and the police did all necessary work to assist me so much to treatment of visitors in Ecuador most anywhere-never did i notice discrimination manfred meissner, I dont think that is happening in my country, everyone is equal, we have black people too, and lately we have different kind of people in Ecuador, from china, India, German and so on. Group Distraction a group of people surround you waving signs or flags while someone picks your pocket (often a child). The U.S. Embassy doesnt allow its employees to use un-vetted taxi services because there have been instances of robberies. Transnational criminal groups and local gangs operating in Guayaquil have carried out a series of violent crimes in the city, to include several murders, targeted assassinations, armed robberies, bombings, and assaults. In some cases, they take you to the nearest ATM and force you to withdraw everything from your bank account. Most public transit between regions is entirely secure, as are accommodations in smaller towns. Canada ranked first for kidnappings amongst Cold countries in 2006. The United States actually suffers from a higher homicide rate at 6 per 100,000 people (2019). However, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbos, an area approximately four miles wide, and the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city. It also has a Pacific Ocean coastline which makes it especially interesting for summer lovers, but thats not the main reason people visit this country in South America. Other social reform efforts included rebuilding the police and criminal justice system, as well as increases in vital social programs. In July 2002, a British oil worker and his driver were kidnapped and later killed. Go to Italy instead. So in raw numbers AND in percentages white people are killed more by police. An Israeli Chabad rabbi working in Quito, Ecuador was kidnapped last week and held for four days by a gang of criminals who demanded $500,000 in ransom. When youre traveling via bus, keep your valuable belonging on your person. ISISWA continues to conduct through suicide bombers, vehicle-borne IEDs, raids, ambushes, kidnappings, and other means asymmetric attacks against civilians, military, and government personnel. The other foreigners were not taken in the attack, which the BBC reported as having been carried out by a Colombian group. There isnt all the much here anymore. Since 2011, crime has fallen dramatically. The most common items stolen from tourists are phones, laptops, cameras, cash, and jewelry. The Gringo Hunters were waiting. I mean I think if someone can make it work in the US if they are American, and thats their home, thats the best, but I get how people are being pushed out and thats sad. Canberra's department of foreign affairs said the Australian woman was in the care of Ecuadorean authorities. Been back in USA for 7 years now and there is not a day that goes by that I dont wish I was still there The people are wonderful we lived in coastal areas for awhile then moved to a remote village in the mountains best neighbors ever in both areas I would go back in a flash however my mom is 94 soon to be 95 and not in the best of shape so I am here and will be here until she goes to be with the Lord The cites there are just like here not a place for a late night stroll. Many parts of Ecuador are at high altitudes. There are some unsafe areas but it is normal to check a bit where you want to go (normal for many European cities as well). There are pickpockets on motorcycles passing by and snatching everything they can from your car, so keep your car windows up. And they get killed for much more trivial reasons (look up Dylann Roof, the Charleston shooter, for example. A Warner Bros. No one cares lol. I have a long but informative post for any solo women or men looking to explore Ecuador but wondering about safety. We heard gunfire during our stay in Quito on the way to & back from galapagos. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Thank you. Well show you how to earn legitimate income from anywhere in the world! Choose Ecuador as your holiday destination! According to both, the tourists were part of a group that was attacked Friday. It funds itself primarily by "taxing" local populations, kidnapping for ransom, and looting material. Read up on preventable incidents so you can be prepared before you go. This travelers dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare. When youre traveling by bus, its best to keep your luggage close to you. There is a large divide between the rich and poor which does not help the crime rate in the Philippines. I am a Canadian living in Baos for over three years. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride. How much time do i need between flights at GYE? More white people are killed in raw numbers, but ALSO as a percentage when you divide by interactions with police, or rates of violent crimes. This is great information. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File), A 2014 file photo of a memorial for 43 students. Thank you! Im planning to visit Ecuador for 5 weeks from the beginning of October 2022. The Reforma newspaper revealed over the weekend that around 20 young people traveling from Guanajuato suffered a massive kidnapping in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, allegedly intercepted by members of the Jalisco Nueva Generacin Cartel (CJNG). They have had other flights coming back to the U.S. but they wont allow her to get on any of them until tonightwhy? When you take off your jacket or bag, they grab it and run. Just because whites are arrested doesnt mean the crimes are being committed by them. Here you can see and feel wildlife in its true form as mainland Ecuador is far, far away from this place. I lived in a residential valley outside of Quit called Sangolqu from August-December 2019, at 20 as a female. This was not the city itself though, but rather like a neighborhood. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. Another important aspect of the islands is the 28 unique (to the island) species of birds like the waved albatross. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Authorities in both countries worked the case. You can check these in your browser security settings. My host family explained scams and safety to me, although they recommended a few options to me that I myself do not recommend others trying such as riding the public bus at night (unless its an overnight bus ride from one region to another) the equovia/bus station itself in historic Quit and the equova at night. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. With 1.5 million immigrants coming in every year, plus millions more on different visas, and millions more foreigners on top of that buying homes (because you can sell them to foreigners not just Americans) prices for everything are through the roof. Crime, such as lack of judicial resources and weak border security also... Or opt in for other cookies to get on any of them tonightwhy! Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact our... Dream Job Alert turned into a nightmare victims to withdraw funds from an ATM or to arrange family. 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