The Ecuador situation is wild.
Peru first blocked the border to keep key cartel figures from escaping, and Colombia did too - an extremely rare move, since Colombia hasn't even done this level of blockade with Venezuela.
And the blockade is now so intense that foreigners need an apostilled 5-year criminal record check if they want to enter Ecuador for the next while. That is a huge hurdle - but these are wild times. Ecuador's in a serious internal war.
It's been a hard few years for so many.
@MLClark
I looked into Ecuador years ago for retirement, then recommended it to my older brother, who bought a 5th floor penthouse in Cuenca several years ago. I don't think they've been back for a few years now. Just messaged him asking what he knows about the current situation.
Such a horrible development. Now looking to visit Colombia.
I was headed to coastal Colombia this week but had my COPA air Boeing 737 grounded by FAA so cancelled the trip. Will re-book for February, probably.