Ecuador has a long history of paros—nationwide strikes and protests that can bring transportation, commerce, and daily life to a standstill. Whether sparked by rising fuel prices, political disputes, or social grievances, a paro can last a few days or stretch into weeks, affecting locals and visitors alike.
We’ve only been living in Ecuador for about six weeks, but there is some significant unrest around issues such as mining, environmental quality, and now the removal of a significant diesel subsidy. While the opposing parties are strong and ready for paro, they have decided to hold off for now in favor of continuing talks around the issues.
Fortunately, this gives us a little more time to prepare for our very first paro.
1. What is a Paro
During a paro, roads (especially highways and entrances to major cities) may be blocked by protesters. Public transportation often shuts down, schools and businesses may close, and supply chains can be disrupted. Some areas remain relatively calm, while others experience more tension, especially near government buildings or protest sites.
2. Stocking Up Beforehand
Since access to goods may be restricted, we are preparing to supply ourselves for longer than usual:
- Food & Water: We’ve bolstered our supply of rice and beans, stocked the freezer, bought drinking water, and have a stockpile of cooking essentials.
- Cash: ATMs may run out of money if banks close or transport is blocked, so we will keep extra on hand.
- Medications: We have three months of our prescribed medications on hand in case there is a significant breakdown in the supply chain.
3. Staying Informed
- I have subscribed to several local news outlets online and we are in regular communication via social media with other English speaking residents.
- We will be watching for official government announcements and alerts.
4. Staying Put and Staying Safe
- We have no plans to leave the city at this time.
- We will be avoiding protest zones where confrontations are always a possibility.
Final Thoughts
As a planner, a paro and all the uncertainty it brings makes me extremely nervous. However, we have an excellent network of expats who are sharing good information on how to prepare and what we might expect in the coming weeks. I just have to make sure I have plenty of bottled water and lots of rice and beans to see me through any potential supply chain failures. Fortunately for us, we do not have any reason to leave the city in the next several weeks.
The Wandering Librarian 
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