AGP Executive Report

El Niño and travel: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is highly likely to persist through February 2027, raising the odds of drought, heavy rain, and heatwaves—meaning winter travel plans could face big weather swings. Wildfires in Azuay: In Ecuador’s Azuay province, forest fires have burned over 1,700 hectares this year, with Cuenca alone accounting for more than 600 hectares as dry vegetation and wind keep risk high. Dengue alert: The CDC reports dengue is surging across multiple U.S. states and issues a level-one travel advisory that includes Ecuador, citing rising cases. Oil and Indigenous territories: New reporting examines why some Quichua communities along the lower Napo river accept oil extraction despite expected impacts like river pollution and habitat loss. Biodiversity comeback: Conservation efforts highlight the Fernandina Galápagos tortoise, rediscovered after more than a century, as part of a push for recovery. Banana supply pressures: Organic banana availability for Q4 looks steady from Mexico and Ecuador, but higher sea freight costs from Ecuador add strain.

Amazon Oil Push in Ecuador: Ecuador says it will tender remote Amazon oil blocks in December 2026, despite a joint rejection from seven Indigenous nations warning of major legal, operational, and environmental risks. Power Cuts as Water Drops: Ecuador extended electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours, citing low water at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, with businesses questioning who bears the burden. Cuenca Wildfire Risk: Dry vegetation and wind kept Azuay on high alert as forest fires burned over 1,700 hectares this year, including more than 600 in Cuenca. Indigenous Rights vs Extraction: A new report looks at why Quichua communities along the lower Napo River sometimes accept oil extraction despite expected impacts like river pollution and habitat loss. Galápagos Conservation Win: A Fernandina Galápagos tortoise rediscovered after more than a century highlights ongoing recovery efforts for threatened wildlife.

Forest Fires: Cuenca firefighters say dry vegetation, wind, and ongoing agricultural burns have driven more than 1,700 hectares of vegetation fires across Azuay this year, with Cuenca alone accounting for over 600 hectares. Power Shortages: Ecuador’s energy ministry extended electricity disconnections for large companies again to 72 hours, citing low water levels at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, while businesses question whether the burden is being unfairly placed on them. Oil & Indigenous Rights: Ecuador announced a December tender for remote Amazon oil blocks, but seven Indigenous nations warn the plan overlaps their territories and carries major legal, operational, and environmental risks. Health & Public Finance: In Cuenca, kidney patients and families protested to demand payment of more than $4 million owed to private dialysis centers serving public referrals, warning treatment continuity is at stake. Conservation Spotlight: A Galápagos tortoise thought lost for 113 years—Fernandina’s Chelonoidis phantasticus—has been rediscovered, with conservation groups highlighting a path to recovery. Climate Context: Coverage also flags El Niño-driven extreme weather risks across the region, including heat and disruption concerns.

Amazon Oil Auction in Ecuador: Ecuador says it will launch a new tender for remote Amazon oil blocks in December 2026, despite Indigenous nations rejecting the plan and warning of major legal, operational, and environmental risks. Electricity Cuts from Low Hydropower: Ecuador extended industrial power disconnections to 72 hours as water levels drop at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, with business leaders questioning how the burden is shared. El Niño Heat and Health Risks: A new report links Super El Niño to thousands of extra heat deaths across Latin America, underscoring that survival depends on housing, work conditions, and access to cooling. Plastic Pollution Off Ecuador: Coverage highlights plastic pollution reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific off Ecuador, including bags, fishing nets, and bottles. Indigenous Forest Protection via Tech: In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Achuar community uses technology to preserve their forest and culture amid biodiversity pressures.

Power Crisis in Ecuador: Ecuador extended electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours as water levels drop at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, with officials hoping weekend rain can boost generation. Oil & Indigenous Rights: Ecuador announced a December 2026 tender for remote Amazon oil blocks, but seven Indigenous nations reject the plan, warning of legal, operational, and environmental risks. El Niño Heat Threats: A new Climate Impact Lab projection links Super El Niño to thousands of extra heat deaths in Latin America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela—highlighting how housing and work conditions shape survival. Children at Risk: UNICEF estimates 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in areas facing very high El Niño-related rainfall risks, threatening food, water, health, and schooling. Plastic Pollution in the Pacific: A report says plastic pollution reached nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific off Ecuador, including bags, fishing nets, and bottles. Super El Niño in Africa: Scientists warn South Africa could see about 1,200 additional heat-related deaths over the next six months.

Oil & Indigenous Rights: Ecuador’s oil summit ENAEP 2026 comes with fresh pressure for new Amazon auctions, but seven Indigenous nations jointly reject the proposed Ronda Suroriente and Ronda Subandina, warning investors about legal, operational, and environmental risks. Climate & Power Supply: Ecuador extends electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours as water levels at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair stay low, sparking debate over who bears the burden. Wildlife Conservation: In Ecuador’s Amazon, Siekopai “turtle women” use community cleanup and egg-collection to help protect vulnerable charapa turtles threatened by pollution and hunting. El Niño Human Impact: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in areas facing very high El Niño-related rainfall risks, putting access to water, health, and schooling in jeopardy. Plastic Pollution: A report flags plastic pollution reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific off Ecuador, including bags, fishing nets, and bottles.

Power Cuts in Ecuador: Ecuador extended electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours as water levels drop at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, with officials blaming low hydro reserves and urging rainfall to restore generation. Amazon Oil Auction Push Meets Indigenous Backlash: At ENAEP 2026, Ecuador announced a December tender for remote Amazon oil blocks, but seven Indigenous nations rejected the plan, warning of major legal, operational, and environmental risks. Plastic Pollution in Ecuador’s Pacific: New reporting highlights plastic pollution reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep off Ecuador, with bags, fishing nets, and bottles found in the marine environment. Charapa Turtle Recovery in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Siekopai “turtle women” are using community cleanup and egg incubation to help protect vulnerable charapa turtles threatened by pollution and hunting. El Niño Risks for Children: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high risks from El Niño-linked rainfall extremes, including threats to water, health, and education.

Amazon Oil Push vs Indigenous Opposition: Ecuador announced a new December 2026 tender for remote Amazon oil blocks, but seven Indigenous nations say the plans overlap their territories and will keep facing rejection and protests, raising major environmental and legal risks. Hydropower Strain and Power Cuts: Ecuador extended electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours, citing low water at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair, while business leaders questioned whether the burden is being unfairly placed on big consumers. Rights of Nature in Courtrooms: A UK barrister highlighted how legal rights for nature are being used to challenge deforestation, water contamination, and harm to wildlife linked to extractive industries across Latin America. Wildlife Conservation in the Amazon: In Ecuador’s Amazon, Siekopai “turtle women” are using both cleanup work and tech-assisted egg protection to help recover vulnerable charapa turtle populations threatened by pollution and hunting. El Niño Human Impact: UNICEF warned that 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high risks from El Niño-linked rainfall extremes, threatening safe water, health, education, and protection.

Hydropower Strain in Ecuador: Ecuador’s Energy Ministry extended electricity disconnections for large companies to 72 hours, citing low water at Mazar and Coca Codo Sinclair and hoping weekend rainfall boosts Rio Coca flows. Corporate Burden Debate: The ministry also flagged 9,089 medium-sized firms facing 48-hour cuts next week, as business leaders questioned fairness and argued the crisis burden shouldn’t fall mainly on major consumers. Amazon Oil vs Indigenous Rights: Ahead of ENAEP 2026, seven Indigenous nations issued a joint declaration rejecting proposed 2026 Amazon oil auctions, warning they will keep opposing extraction in overlapping territories. Wildlife Conservation in the Amazon: Siekopai “turtle women” in Ecuador’s Amazon are using tech and tradition to protect vulnerable charapa turtles—cleaning beaches, scouting nests, and incubating eggs amid pollution and hunting pressures. El Niño Risk for Children: UNICEF estimates 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in municipalities facing very high El Niño rainfall risks, threatening water, health, food, and education.

Super El Niño Health Warning: A new Climate Impact Lab report projects the current Super El Niño could add about 1,200 heat-related deaths in South Africa between September 2026 and February 2027, with global land temperatures running about 1.2°C above normal and emergency steps like early warnings and cooling centers urged. El Niño Child Risk: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in municipalities facing very high risks from El Niño-linked rainfall deficits or excess, threatening food, safe water, health care, and education. Ecuador Amazon Oil Fight: As Ecuador’s ENAEP 2026 oil summit pushes for investment, seven Indigenous nations reject proposed 2026 Amazon oil auctions (Ronda Suroriente and Ronda Subandina), warning of major legal, operational, and environmental risks and vowing to oppose extraction. Ecuador Biodiversity Tech: In the Ecuadorian Amazon, Siekopai “turtle women” use a mix of cleanup work and tech-guided egg protection to help recover vulnerable charapa turtles amid pollution and hunting pressures. Plastic Pollution Offshore Ecuador: New reporting highlights plastic pollution reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific off Ecuador, including bags, fishing nets, and bottles.

El Niño Human Toll: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean live in municipalities facing very high El Niño rainfall risks, threatening food, safe water, health care, education and child protection. Ecuador Climate Risk: Goldman Sachs warns Ecuador could face the biggest social and financial losses in the region, citing coastal flooding and possible electricity breakdown from Sierra drought. Ocean Threat: Scientists report a Kelvin wave has already raised seas off Ecuador by up to 17 inches, with higher coastal water levels expected for months, raising flood and erosion risks. Amazon Oil vs Indigenous Rights: As Ecuador courts oil investors at ENAEP 2026, seven Indigenous nations reject planned 2026 Amazon auctions, warning the projects overlap their territories and remain legally, operationally and environmentally risky. Biodiversity Monitoring: A new Amazon-wide initiative (Amazon.ia) aims to track plant and animal populations in near real time as development pressures the basin. Plastic Pollution: New data highlights plastic pollution reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific off Ecuador, including bags, nets and bottles. Wildlife Trade Scrutiny: NGOs renew calls for Vantara to end wild animal imports permanently, citing concerns over incentives and transparency.

El Niño Risk for Ecuador: A new Verisk Maplecroft report warns that flooding risk is rising in economically critical areas including Ecuador, as a super-strength El Niño intensifies into 2027—raising odds of supply-chain disruption and infrastructure stress. Coastal Flooding + Power Strain: Goldman Sachs says Ecuador faces the highest social and financial losses in Latin America, projecting GDP contraction and warning that coastal flooding could displace residents while Sierra drought could trigger electricity-supply breakdowns. Marine Plastic Pollution: A study finds plastic debris off Ecuador has reached the deep Pacific seabed, with bags and fishing nets detected at nearly 4,000 meters—linking coastal waste to long-lasting ocean contamination. Amazon Oil vs Indigenous Rights: As Ecuador courts oil investors, seven Indigenous nations reject planned 2026 Amazon oil auctions, citing legal, operational, and environmental risks and warning extraction is not viable. Community Forest Monitoring: In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Achuar community of Sharamentsa is using cameras and training to protect biodiversity and culture through the Sharamentsa Viva project. Hydropower Watch in Cuenca: Weekend rain briefly boosted the Mazar reservoir, but CELEC says water levels are expected to fall again as generation ramps to offset reduced output from Coca Codo Sinclair.

Amazon Oil vs Indigenous Rights: Ecuador’s oil summit pushes new Amazon auctions, but seven Indigenous nations warn the delayed 2026 rounds and proposed blocks (Ronda Suroriente/Subandina) are legally and environmentally risky and not viable. Marine Pollution: A new study finds plastic waste off Ecuador reaching nearly 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific, including bags, fishing nets and containers, with debris persisting even in deep-sea conditions. Community Forest Monitoring: In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Achuar community of Sharamentsa is using cameras, training, and ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and culture through the Sharamentsa Viva project. Climate Stress on Water & Power: Weekend rains briefly lifted Ecuador’s Mazar reservoir, but CELEC says the downward trend is likely to resume as the country manages hydroelectric shortfalls. El Niño Impacts Across the Region: Coverage highlights a strengthening “super El Niño” and a Kelvin wave that could raise coastal seas for months—relevant to Ecuador’s broader flood-and-drought risks. Health Planning for Climate: PAHO and Andean partners unveiled a 2026–2031 plan to protect 173M people from climate-driven health threats, including floods, droughts and heat.

Marine Pollution: A new study finds plastic waste off Ecuador has reached the deep Pacific seabed, with bags, food containers, and fishing nets detected at more than 3,900 meters—linking coastal debris to long-lasting offshore contamination. Indigenous Forest Monitoring: In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Achuar community of Sharamentsa is expanding “Sharamentsa Viva,” using cameras, training, and ancestral knowledge to track wildlife and protect forest and culture. Climate Risk (El Niño): Scientists warn a “super” El Niño could intensify global weather swings; in Ecuador and the wider region, it raises the odds of disruptive storms and sea-level impacts. Water & Power (Mazar): Weekend rain briefly boosted Ecuador’s Mazar reservoir, but officials say the downward trend is expected to resume as the country manages electricity constraints. Biodiversity & Land Use (Galápagos): On Santa Cruz Island, livestock expansion is reported by farmers as linked to biodiversity decline and deforestation pressures near sensitive protected areas. Ecuador in Global Policy: The U.S. announced visa restrictions on Ecuadorians under its “Shield of the Americas” initiative, amid broader regional security and governance claims.

El Niño & Coastal Risk: Scientists warn a slow-moving “Kelvin wave” tied to El Niño could lift California sea levels by up to a foot, boosting coastal erosion and storm surge risk. Ecuador Water/Energy: In Ecuador’s electricity crisis, weekend rain briefly helped the Mazar reservoir, but CELEC says the downward trend is likely to resume as generation ramps up to offset reduced output at Coca Codo Sinclair. Floods vs Drought Planning: A Cuenca-focused explainer highlights how one El Niño can bring both flooding and drought across different elevations—urging local preparedness for multiple extremes. Galápagos Biodiversity Pressure: Galápagos farmers say livestock expansion is linked to biodiversity decline, with most land protected but pasture systems still reshaping areas near sensitive ecosystems. Climate Finance & Forest Carbon: At Climate Week NYC, Ecuador and other forest-rich countries backed forest carbon deals and results-based funding to protect and restore forests. Security Bloc Operations: Ecuador reported nearly 2,000 apprehensions in 10 days during targeted curfew/security operations, alongside major drug and weapons seizures.

El Niño Risk for Ecuador: Cuenca is preparing for a “both floods and drought” reality as El Niño can trigger very different conditions across the Andes, with local elevation and terrain shaping impacts. Climate Disaster Forecasts: Scientists warn that a “Super El Niño” is returning, with major wet-weather risks across the region and knock-on effects for winter conditions. Galápagos Biodiversity Under Pressure: On Santa Cruz, livestock expansion is being linked by farmers to biodiversity decline and deforestation pressures near protected ecosystems. Electricity Crisis Response: Ecuador continues industrial power cuts as water levels fall at Mazar, with the country racing to avoid blackouts. Forest Carbon Push in Latin America: At Climate Week NYC, Ecuador and other forest-rich countries backed forest carbon finance and results-based payments to protect and restore forests. Rights and Governance: Ecuador’s security operations reported nearly 2,000 apprehensions in 10 days, alongside large drug and weapons seizures—raising questions about how emergency measures affect communities and local stability.