It’s a intense situation in Guayaquil right now. To help you get a clear picture of what’s happening, here is a breakdown of the recent fires and the national government’s intervention.
The “Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why”
What happened?
A series of major fires has struck Guayaquil, the most devastating being a massive blaze at the Multicomercio building in the city center. The fire was so intense that it caused two of the building’s towers to collapse. Shortly after, other fires broke out in the city, including one at a warehouse and another at a motorcycle assembly plant.
Where and When?
- Location: The primary disaster occurred at the Multicomercio complex (located at Cuenca and Eloy Alfaro streets) in downtown Guayaquil.
- Timeframe: The fires began around February 11–12, 2026, with some blazes lasting over 36 hours. More “suspicious” fires were reported through February 15, 2026.
Who is involved?
- The Firefighters: The Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Guayaquil (BCBG) deployed over 400 firefighters to the scene.
- The “Fed” (National Government): President Daniel Noboa and Interior Minister Jhon Reimberg have stepped in.
- The City Leadership: There is a major leadership shift happening. The Mayor of Guayaquil, Aquiles Alvarez, was recently detained as part of a legal investigation (known as “Case Goleada” or “Triple A”), and Tatiana Coronel has taken over as acting mayor.
How is the government taking control?
The national government has taken several unprecedented steps:
- Moving the Capital (Temporarily): President Noboa announced that the central government will move its operations to Guayaquil for several weeks to directly manage the crisis.
- Operational Takeover: As of February 15, the national government took operational control of Segura EP, the municipal agency responsible for city security and risk management.
- Security Perimeter: The military and national police have established a “zone of exclusion” around the fire sites to maintain order and allow for structural assessments.
Why is this happening?
The intervention is driven by two main factors:
- Suspicion of Arson: Minister Reimberg stated that these fires may not be “fortuitous” (accidental). The government suspects “structures operating in the shadows” are trying to create chaos and violence. They have asked the State Attorney General (FiscalÃa) to investigate these as potential criminal acts.
- Administrative Friction: The national government claims the Municipality of Guayaquil failed to provide necessary technical reports and safety documents regarding the affected buildings, prompting the “fed” to step in and ensure public safety.
Current Status
The fires are currently under control, but the city remains in a state of high alert. With the national government now physically present in Guayaquil, the focus has shifted from firefighting to forensic investigation and security stabilization.
To help visualize the scale of the crisis and the government’s response, here are some images from the recent events in Guayaquil.
The Scene at the Multicomercio Building
The intensity of the blaze at the city center led to structural failure in two of the towers, a sight that has dominated local news.
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The Firefighters’ Response
The Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Guayaquil (BCBG) worked around the clock with hundreds of personnel to keep the fires from spreading to the rest of the historic downtown area.
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The National Government’s Presence
President Daniel Noboa has shifted operations to the coast to oversee the security and forensic investigations personally.
