History of Ecuador in Timeline

Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a South American nation bordered by Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. It encompasses the Galápagos Islands, located 1,000 kilometers west of the mainland. Quito serves as the capital, while Guayaquil is its largest city.

1911: Concession to British Oil Company

In 1911, the Government of Ecuador conceded 98 mines, occupying an area of 38,842 hectares, to the British oil company Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields.

1920: Establishment of Air Academy Cosme Rennella

In 1920, the Air Academy Cosme Rennella, located in Salinas, was established to graduate air force officers.

1921: Emergency Quota Act

The Italian government was more interested in the emigration phenomenon in Ecuador because of the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 that restricted immigration to the United States.

1930: Lebanese immigrants

By 1930, there were 577 Lebanese immigrants and 489 of their descendants residing in Ecuador.

1933: Arrival of Ashkenazi Jews

Ashkenazi Jews arrived in Ecuador mostly as refugees after the ascendance of National Socialism in Germany in 1933.

1936: Compulsory voting established

Since 1936, voting is compulsory for all literate persons aged 18–65, and optional for all other citizens over the age of 16.

1939: Entry permits granted to Jewish refugees

In 1939, Ecuador granted entry permits to 165 Jewish refugees from Germany aboard the ship Koenigstein.

1940: Jewish Population

In 1940, there were 3,000 Jews in Ecuador.

1950: Peak of Jewish population

At its peak, in 1950, the Jewish population of Ecuador was estimated at 4,000.

1950: Infant mortality rate

In 1950, the infant mortality rate in Ecuador was 140 per 1,000 live births.

1964: Texaco Operations Begin in Ecuadorian Amazon

In 1964, Texaco began operating in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, drilling wells and causing environmental damage through toxic waste disposal.

1967: Structure of Ecuadorian public health care system

The current structure of the Ecuadorian public health care system dates back to 1967.

1973: Ecuador Joins OPEC

In 1973, Ecuador joined OPEC as a member, marking its involvement in the international oil market.

1986: Estimate of Lebanese descendants

A 1986 estimate from Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated 100,000 Lebanese descendants in Ecuador.

1991: Pre-colonial American languages

In 1991, Northern Kichwa (Quechua) and other pre-colonial American languages were spoken by 2,500,000 people in Ecuador.

1992: Ecuador Suspends OPEC Membership

In 1992, Ecuador suspended its membership in OPEC, altering its role in the global oil organization.

1992: Texaco Operations End in Ecuadorian Amazon

In 1992, Texaco-Chevron ended operations in the Ecuadorian Amazon, leaving behind significant environmental damage from drilling and toxic waste.

1996: Net primary enrollment rate

In 1996, the net primary enrollment rate in Ecuador was 96.9%.

1999: GDP Doubled

Between 1999 and 2007, GDP doubled, reaching $65,490 million according to BCE.

2000: Health care efficiency

Ecuador was ranked 111 in health care efficiency in the year 2000.

2000: Economic Growth Period Begins

From 2000 to 2006, Ecuador's economy experienced an average growth of 4.6%.

2001: Extreme poverty rate

In 2001, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador was estimated at 40% of the population.

2002: Growth in Colombian and Venezuelan refugees

Starting in 2002, Ecuador experienced significant growth in Colombian and Venezuelan refugees due to civil wars, economic crises, and dictatorships in their respective countries. Colombians sought refuge due to civil unrest, and Venezuelans fled the economic and political crisis in Venezuela. Authorities estimated that 350,000 to 400,000 Colombians were living in Ecuador at this time.

2003: Amnesty International Report on Human Rights Violations

A 2003 Amnesty International report was critical of the scarce prosecutions for human rights violations committed by security forces, raising concerns about impartiality and torture allegations.

April 2005: Removal of President Lucio Gutiérrez

In April 2005, President Lucio Gutiérrez was removed from office by Congress due to government failures to deliver on promises and historical exploitation, leading to Vice President Alfredo Palacio taking his place.

2006: Trade balance surplus increase

Compared to 2006, Ecuador's trade balance surplus had risen by about $425 million by August 2012.

2006: Economic Growth Period Ends

From 2000 to 2006, Ecuador's economy experienced an average growth of 4.6%.

2006: Rafael Correa Gained the Presidency

In 2006, Rafael Correa won the presidential election, marking a shift towards leftist policies in Ecuador.

January 2007: Rafael Correa's Swearing-In Ceremony

In January 2007, Rafael Correa's swearing-in ceremony as president was attended by several left-wing political leaders of Latin America, marking the beginning of his presidency and future alliances.

April 2007: Debt payment to the IMF

In April 2007, Ecuador paid off its debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

December 2007: Monthly Unemployment Rate

From December 2007, the monthly unemployment rate remained at about 6 and 8 percent until September 2008.

2007: Trade balance surplus

In 2007, Ecuador's trade balance surplus reached only $5.7 million.

2007: Constituent Assembly elected

In 2007, an Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly was elected to write the current constitution.

2007: Government initiatives to attract Ecuadorians abroad

In 2007, the Ecuador government created multiple initiatives to attract Ecuadorians abroad, mostly from the United States, Italy, and Spain, to return after many left during the 90s economic crisis.

January 2008: Inflation Rate

Until January 2008, the inflation rate was about 1.14%, the highest in the past year, according to the government.

September 2008: Monthly Unemployment Rate

From December 2007, the monthly unemployment rate remained at about 6 and 8 percent until September 2008.

November 2008: Monthly Unemployment Rate

In November 2008 the monthly unemployment rate dropped again to 8 percent.

December 2008: Declaration of National Debt Illegitimacy

In December 2008, President Correa declared Ecuador's national debt illegitimate, arguing it was odious debt contracted by corrupt regimes. The country defaulted on over $3 billion in bonds and successfully reduced their price.

2008: Rise in returning nationals due to economic crisis

During the 2008 economic crisis that affected Europe and North America, Ecuador experienced a rapid and significant rise in the flow of returning nationals as a result of government policies to attract Ecuadorians abroad.

2008: Oil trade balance

In 2008, Ecuador's oil trade balance had positive revenues of $3.295 million, while non-oil was negative, amounting to $2.842 million.

2008: LDU Quito runners-up in FIFA Club World Cup

In 2008, LDU Quito, the most successful football team in Ecuador, were runners-up in the FIFA Club World Cup. They are the only Ecuadorian team that has won the Copa Libertadores.

2008: Universal social security coverage

In 2008, the Ecuadorian government introduced universal and compulsory social security coverage.

2008: Sociobosque Program Begun

In 2008, the Sociobosque program was started to preserve land by paying private and community landowners incentives to maintain native ecosystems.

2008: Constitution approved by referendum

In 2008, the current constitution, written by the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly, was approved by referendum.

2008: Free basic health care

Since 2008, basic health care, including doctor's visits, basic surgeries, and basic medications, has been provided free in Ecuador.

January 2009: Central Bank of Ecuador growth forecast

In January 2009, the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) put the 2010 growth forecast at 6.88%.

June 2009: Ecuador Joins Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas

In June 2009, Ecuador joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) under President Correa, further aligning the country with leftist political movements in the region.

2009: Restructuring and Increased Spending in Armed Forces

In 2009, the Ecuadorian Armed Forces underwent restructuring with increased spending, driven by border disputes and the Colombian guerrilla insurgency.

2010: Ethnic group distribution

As of 2010, the largest ethnic group in Ecuador was the Mestizos, constituting about 71% of the population.

2010: Unemployment Rate

In 2010 the unemployment rate was 7.6%.

2011: Oil reserves

As of 2011, Ecuador's proven oil reserves were estimated at 6.51 billion barrels.

2011: Decline in extreme poverty rate

By 2011, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador had dropped to 17.4% of the total population.

August 2012: Trade balance surplus

The overall trade balance for August 2012 was a surplus of almost $390 million for the first six months of 2012.

2012: Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

According to their estimates, at the end of 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accounts for about 1.4% of the population, or 211,165 members.

2012: Unemployment Rate

In 2012 the unemployment rate was 4.8%.

2012: Restrictions on Media and Public Protests

In 2012, restrictions were placed on media messages that could favor or disfavor political candidates, and public protesters faced prosecution for "terrorism and sabotage."

February 2013: Inauguration of new Quito airport

In February 2013, a new airport in Tababela, Quito was inaugurated with Canadian assistance.

2013: Innovation ranking

In 2013, Ecuador was placed in 96th position of innovation in technology in a World Economic Forum study.

2013: Lasso finished second in the presidential elections

In 2013, Guillermo Lasso finished second in the presidential elections.

2014: School years completed

In 2014 the mean number of school years completed in rural areas is 7.39 as compared to 10.86 in urban areas.

2014: Delayed road completion to Quito airport

In late 2014, the main road leading from Quito city center to the new airport was expected to be finished, causing long travel times.

2015: Corruption remains a problem

In 2015, corruption remained a problem in Ecuador, with overbilling recorded in 20% of public establishments and in 80% of private establishments.

2015: Education Report

In a 2015 report by the Ministry of Education, the mean number of school years completed in rural areas in 2014 was 7.39 as compared to 10.86 in urban areas.

2016: New public hospitals built

Between 2008 and 2016, new public hospitals were built in Ecuador.

2017: Decreased Restrictions on Media and Civil Society

According to Freedom House, restrictions on the media and civil society have decreased since 2017.

2017: Jehovah's Witnesses

According to their sources there were 92,752 Jehovah's Witnesses in the country in 2017.

2017: Lenín Moreno elected as president

After being elected in 2017, President Moreno's government adopted economically liberal policies.

2017: Lasso finished second in the presidential elections

In 2017, Guillermo Lasso finished second in the presidential elections.

2017: Law on Human Mobility Adopted

In 2017, the Ecuadorian parliament adopted a law on human mobility, addressing migration and human rights issues.

August 2018: Ecuador Leaves Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (Alba)

In August 2018, under President Moreno's leadership, Ecuador withdrew from the left-wing Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), signaling a shift in the country's foreign policy.

October 2018: Diplomatic Relations Cut with Venezuela

In October 2018, Ecuador, under President Moreno, severed diplomatic ties with the Maduro administration of Venezuela, a former ally of Correa.

2018: Ecuador's Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score

In 2018, Ecuador had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.66/10, ranking it 35th globally.

March 2019: Ecuador Withdraws from UNASUR

In March 2019, Ecuador withdrew from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), reflecting a shift in regional alliances.

March 2019: Inauguration of Cuenca's tramway

On 8 March 2019, Cuenca's tramway was inaugurated. It is the largest public transport system in the city and the first modern tramway in Ecuador.

June 2019: Agreement to Allow US Military Planes

In June 2019, Ecuador agreed to allow US military planes to operate from an airport on the Galapagos Islands, indicating closer ties with the United States.

October 2019: Protests Against Fuel Subsidies and Austerity Measures

In October 2019, a series of protests erupted against the end of fuel subsidies and austerity measures, leading the government to temporarily relocate to Guayaquil before restoring the subsidies and withdrawing the package.

February 2020: Meeting Between Ecuadorian and U.S. President

In February 2020, President Moreno's visit to Washington marked the first meeting between an Ecuadorian and U.S. president in 17 years, highlighting improved relations.

2020: Decline of Jewish Population

Around 2020, the Jewish population in Ecuador had diminished to some 290.

2020: Ecuador Leaves OPEC Again

In 2020, under President Moreno, Ecuador left OPEC again, citing its desire to increase crude oil exportation for more revenue.

April 2021: Guillermo Lasso wins presidential election

In April 2021, Guillermo Lasso won the presidential election with 52.4% of the vote.

May 2021: Lasso Sworn In As President

On 24 May 2021, Guillermo Lasso was sworn in as president, marking the country's first right-wing leader in 14 years.

October 2021: State of Emergency Declared to Combat Crime

In October 2021, President Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency to combat crime and drug-related violence, including prison clashes.

2021: Force majeure declaration for oil exports

In late 2021, Ecuador declared a Force majeure for oil exports due to erosion near key pipelines (privately owned OCP pipeline and state-owned SOTE pipeline) in the Amazon.

2021: Population estimate

The 2021 estimates put Ecuador's population at 17,797,737.

October 2022: United Nations Expresses Concerns About Detention Centers

In October 2022, the United Nations expressed concerns about the dire situation in various detention centers and prisons, and the human rights of those deprived of liberty in Ecuador.

2022: Supreme Court Decision on Industrial Projects

In 2022, the Supreme Court of Ecuador ruled that no project could generate excessive sacrifices to collective rights and required the government to respect Indigenous peoples' opinions.

2022: Oil production returns to normal

In early 2022, Ecuador's oil production returned to its normal level of 435,000 barrels per day after the Force majeure event.

February 2023: Voters Reject Constitutional Changes

In February 2023, voters overwhelmingly rejected President Lasso's proposed constitutional changes in a referendum, weakening his political standing.

October 2023: Daniel Noboa wins premature presidential election

On 15 October 2023, Daniel Noboa won the premature presidential election with 52.3% of the vote.

November 2023: Noboa Sworn In As President

On 23 November 2023, Daniel Noboa was sworn in as President of Ecuador.

January 2024: Internal Armed Conflict Declared

In January 2024, President Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" against organized crime, following the escape of a cartel leader and an armed attack at a television channel.