In Ecuador, even the basics of life become a battle

In Ecuador, even the most basic necessities of life have become a daily struggle. On October 14, Natalia Peñaherrera faced a sudden power outage in Quito, a city already gripped by an ongoing electricity crisis. The blackout struck unexpectedly, leaving her grandmother’s oxygen tank without power for only a short time before returning.

Peñaherrera, who suffers from systemic scleroderma, understands the desperation of those without backup systems, fearing what might happen in such situations. The country has endured successive states of emergency and curfews since President Daniel Noboa took office in November 2023, all aimed at combating organized crime. However, the energy crisis has exacerbated the situation, causing blackouts and rationing of hydroelectric power.

Obtaining essential services like driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, and medical appointments has become an arduous process fraught with lines and bureaucracy. Xavier Macías, a 43-year-old makeup artist, has been trapped in a two-year procedure to register his vehicle, only to discover that his license plate had been cloned.

Satisfaction with public hospitals and the justice system is alarmingly low, with only 16% and 11% of respondents, respectively, expressing satisfaction or very satisfaction. This lack of trust in the government and its institutions has led many, like Alexandra Carreño, to consider migration as a solution to the pervasive threat of organized crime and drug trafficking.

Despite President Noboa’s claims of a tough stance against corruption, only 31% of Ecuadorians believe there has been any progress in combating corruption in the past two years. The future, it seems, remains uncertain as institutions fail to fulfill their responsibilities, leaving citizens to fight their own battles.