A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRONE REGISTRATION AND OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS IN ECUADOR AND SELECTED LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES

This study presents a comparative analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulatory frameworks across five Latin American nations: Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. Utilizing official civil aviation publications and guidance documents, regulatory requirements were evaluated across key operational parameters, including registration thresholds, pilot certification, commercial activity rules, administrative fees, and other. The findings reveal a shared regional operational baseline characterized by mandatory Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), altitude ceilings, airport buffer zones, and heightened scrutiny for commercial operations. However, substantial structural differences exist in how these objectives are enforced. For example, regulatory approaches range from multi-agency frameworks (Brazil) and environmental distinctions (Chile) to structured risk-based categories (Colombia, Ecuador) and streamlined low-risk models (Argentina). Nonetheless, while all five nations have adopted digital administration portals, none currently enforce broadcast Remote Identification (Remote ID). Results like these provide empirical baselines for policymakers to optimize commercial licensing fee structures, refine risk-based operational tiers, and support regional regulatory harmonization to facilitate safe UAV integration across Latin America.