Quito Shuts Down Illegal Brothels Amidst Alarming Conditions

Quito's Metropolitan Control Agency (AMC) has intensified its oversight in the capital, leading to the closure of illegal brothels operating under the guise of legitimate businesses in residential areas. These operations, carried out in collaboration with the National Police, targeted clandestine establishments that used the internet and social media to attract clients in neighborhoods like Iñaquito, La Florida, and Conocoto.

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The interventions, executed together with the National Police, aim to curb the operation of clandestine brothels in Quito that used the internet and social media to attract clients.

During inspections on July 10, 2026, municipal teams uncovered deeply concerning conditions that went beyond a mere lack of operating permits. Inside the intervened properties, authorities discovered extreme unsanitary environments, marked by the accumulation of used medical and sexual items such as syringes and condoms. These findings highlighted a severe disregard for public health and safety standards.

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Municipal inspections revealed alarming conditions that transcend the simple lack of permits. Inside the intervened properties, authorities documented scenarios of extreme insalubrity, including the accumulation of used medical and sexual supplies, such as syringes and condoms.

Beyond the regulatory violations, the AMC documented situations that constituted fundamental human rights abuses. Reports indicated the presence of minors and individuals who were allegedly held at the locations against their will. In one particularly disturbing case, an elderly person dependent on oxygen was found in a residence where prostitution activities were occurring in adjacent rooms. Evidence of Santeria practices was also found within some of the homes.

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In several establishments, the presence of minors and individuals who, according to reports, remained at the site against their will was found.

Gustavo Chiriboga, a metropolitan supervisor for the AMC, reported that as of 2026, 32 establishments, including nightclubs and brothels, have been shut down. The sanctions are based on non-compliance with technical fire safety regulations, absence of municipal permits, and the conducting of activities prohibited by the city's ordinances. Under Quito's Municipal Code, Category III establishments operating illegally face severe penalties, including fines up to 15 unified basic salaries, exceeding $7,000, and definitive closure of the property.

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The sanctions are based on non-compliance with technical fire safety regulations, the absence of municipal permits, and the exercise of activities prohibited by the capital's regulations.