Ecuador Faces Fuel Shortage Crisis as Refinery Capacity Drop Forces 90% Import Dependence

Ecuador’s fuel supply crisis has exposed critical infrastructure vulnerabilities as the country now imports up to 90 percent of consumed fuels due to reduced production at the Esmeraldas Refinery, according to Chamber President Ivo Rosero. The facility has operated below capacity for months following multiple fires and accumulated failures, with Petroecuador expecting full unit reactivation only by mid-May. Long queues persisted at service stations in Quito, Guayaquil and other cities despite official denials of shortages from the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The Hydrocarbons Regulation and Control Agency filed its first complaint with prosecutors in Cañar province on May 13, alleging hoarding of approximately 20,000 gallons of premium diesel at one service station. ARCH Executive Director Christian Puente García attributed the situation to multiple factors including the Strait of Hormuz closure reducing global supply and increasing international prices, alongside import logistics dependencies on vessel arrivals and discharge schedules. Of 87 service stations inspected on May 11, only two received sanctions, one for failing to report equipment damage.

Distributors rejected government claims of hoarding, with Camddepe representatives stating distribution centers notified commercializers on May 9 that they would receive only 50 percent of usual volumes due to Petroecuador limitations. Diesel shortages had already appeared in Manabí province on April 23, according to industry sources. The crisis escalated one day before the monthly price adjustment under the band system, with new rates set at 3.16 dollars per gallon for Extra and Ecopaís gasoline, 4.97 dollars for Super 97-octane, and 3.10 dollars for diesel, representing the highest fuel costs in the country’s history.

Legislators from Revolución Ciudadana, Pachakutik and the Social Christian Party requested immediate appearances by energy officials before the National Assembly. RC legislator Blasco Luna called for Thursday testimony from the energy minister, while assemblywoman Mónica Palacios announced fiscalization proceedings and accused the Noboa government of concealing the problem’s magnitude. Opposition parties initiated formal information requests regarding production and distribution status. Government-aligned legislators maintained sufficient stock exists and attributed problems to speculation at individual stations, urging citizens to rely solely on official channels. Social organizations including Popular Unity and the National Educators Union warned the fuel price increase would raise transportation costs, food prices and basic goods expenses.