So far in 2022, there have been five violent attacks on mining camps across four provinces. Around 05:00 on December 14, 2022, a group of almost 100 people entered the camp of a mining project in the province of Bolívar and burned it down. This is one of the five...
Ecuadorians spend an average of $24 per Christmas gift
Ecuadorians are willing to buy more expensive Christmas gifts for family members or close friends. People in Ecuador are spending an average of $24 on each gift for this Christmas, according to a 2022 report by the market consultancy Ipsos. Although, the amount spent varies depending on the socioeconomic stratum, gender, age and geographic location. […]
Ecuadorians are just three steps away from the no longer needing the Schengen visa
In a recent interview, Member of the European Parliament Javier Zarzalejos explained that Ecuador's entry into the list of countries that do not require a Schengen visa has the votes to be approved in the European Parliament. The expectation about the possible...
Going on ahead
My best friend Joe Bozzuto died in Denver last Thursday afternoon. As of this past May, we had known each other for 20 years. I’ve hiked hundreds of miles with Joe. From the Colorado mountains to the Khumbu Valley in Nepal. I’ve snowshoed with him in Rocky Mountain National Park and looked thru fossil digs […]
ECLAC maintained economic growth forecast for Ecuador
Update to: ECLAC says G20 and IMF must help boost Latin America’s economy Published: Volume 5, Issue 7 According to ECLAC, Ecuador’s GDP will grow 2% in 2023, a less optimistic projection than that of the Central Bank of Ecuador, which projects growth of 3.1%. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal) […]
US Congress passes economic, environmental, security related ‘Association Law 2022’ with Ecuador
Ecuador’s Foreign Minister confirmed that the project was approved within the US Defense Expenditure Authorization Act. President Guillermo Lasso traveled to that US on Sunday to meet with his US President Joe Biden. Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguín described the approval of the United States-Ecuador Association Law 2022, as a sign of confidence, which will […]
Seven things changed in Ecuador after the agreement with the IMF
After the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Government reduced public spending, but less investment in works hurt economic growth. The Government will receive $700 million from the IMF in the last week of December 2022. It means that Ecuador...
Ecuador analyzes “options to continue working” with the IMF in 2023
Update to: Ecuador will seek a new agreement with the IMF in 2023 Published: Volume 6, Issue 51 The Budget has the necessary sources of financing for 2023, without including a new loan from the IMF, according to the Minister of Finance. Economy Minister, Pablo Arosemena, explained that the Government will not require a new […]
IMF says there are nine risks that threaten Ecuador
The IMF detailed the risks that Ecuador faces in the sixth report on the credit program for $6,500 million, which is fulfilled for the first time in two decades. On the completion of Ecuador’s Expanded Service Credit Program (SAF), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published a 110-page report on the country’s situation. The multilateral organization […]
Assembly: Amendments Commission will process constitutional reform
Update to: President sends partial reform of the Constitution to Assembly asking for Armed Forces to help Police Published: Volume 7, Issue 10 The process of modifying the scope of action of the Armed Forces will take about six months. The Amendments Commission, with an opposition majority, will oversee the process. The Plenary of the […]
Lasso calls out judges who unjustifiably release criminal gang leaders
“Independence of powers yes, but indifference never,” that was the phrase with which President Guillermo Lasso began the national broadcast on the night of December 15, 2022. In a national broadcast on Thursday night, President Lasso emphatically stated that his...