Newly graduated police officers in Ecuador are facing a significant challenge as they enter the force without essential equipment. Despite the recent graduation of 8,500 agents, the National Police has yet to provide them with new pistols, vests, and helmets. The...
Funding, bureaucracy and mismanagement blamed for deteriorated roads in Azuay region
The Minister of Transportation, César Rohón, acknowledged that there is limited execution of road work in the area but claims that the problems stem from both a lack of resources and zonal mismanagement. The Ministry of Transport and Public Works claims it intends to prioritize maintenance on the most deteriorated roads in Azuay to prevent […]
Girón, a hidden treasure nestled in the Azuay province
Girón beckons adventurous travelers with its natural wonders and enticing attractions. This canton boasts crystal clear lagoons, majestic mountains, and an expansive valley, offering a diverse range of experiences for those eager to explore its bountiful offerings. Whether embarking on a bus or driving in a private vehicle, the journey to Girón is a scenic […]
Kidnappers using grisly tactics as Ecuador kidnappings spiral up
Crime has taken a sadistic turn in Ecuador, where kidnappers now regularly amputate the fingers of their victims and send images of their maiming to pressure relatives to pay higher ransoms. For decades, Ecuador was a refuge of peace wedged in a dangerous region. But these days, it increasingly resembles nearby Peru and Colombia, two […]
Lasso says he will remain in politics after his term ends and even hints at a 2025 campaign
Guillermo Lasso, the current president of Ecuador, has stated that he will not bid farewell to politics once his term ends in the coming months. Instead, he plans to continue his involvement in politics by becoming a “serious opposition” figure. During an interview with the NTN24 network, President Lasso denied allegations of corruption involving his […]
More than 3% of Cuenca’s population resides under the constant threat of landslides
With approximately 20,000 inhabitants residing in high-risk areas, most of them in the outskirts of the city, there is a constant fear that the upcoming rains accompanying the El Niño phenomenon will lead to further disasters. Rómulo Coraizaca, a resident of Los Pinos...
New mayor says municipality of Cuenca payroll was unjustly inflated by last government
The Municipality of Cuenca has initiated a process of terminating contracts and dismissing casual workers who were recently hired, as well as those providing services under invoice, some of whom charge fees of up to $3,000 per month. Under the direction of new Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora, personnel contracts are being meticulously examined, resulting in […]
Never-ending road woes
Roads, roads, roads. Promises, promises, promises. That’s the never-ending tune we hear here in Azuay. We’re constantly bombarded with assurances that the roads will finally receive the attention they deserve. But alas, it’s been six long years of disappointment, and the journey from Guayaquil, Quito, or Machala to Cuenca remains an exercise in pure frustration. […]
Tax on money taken out of Ecuador falls to 3.5% on July 1st
The Government of Guillermo Lasso has been steadily reducing the Tax on the Exit of Foreign Currency since 2022, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the tax entirely by 2025. Starting from July 1, 2023, the Foreign Currency Exit Tax (ISD) rate will drop to 3.50%, a...