There’s a quick-hit story out of Santa Elena this week that shouldn’t be overlooked. Four men were arrested for extorting people using dynamite. Not guns. Dynamite. Let that sink in. That’s where we are now—on Ecuador’s coast, not paying a bribe might get you blown to pieces. Not robbed. Not shot. Blown up. And if […] To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.

The city’s police force struggles to keep pace with the surge in violence, criminal extortion, and gang activity, as officials work to address growing deficits. To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.

Insecurity, declining consumption, and the rise of discount stores like TuTi are forcing Ecuador’s traditional stores to close at an alarming rate. To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.

The country struggles to meet critical energy needs by September, as ongoing delays in key projects threaten stability. To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.

Despite strong evidence linking suspects to extortion schemes, authorities express frustration over the legal system’s decision to release them. To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.

The Ecuadorian Electric Corporation’s financial woes, aging infrastructure, and low tariffs hinder its ability to meet growing energy demands. To access this post, you must purchase The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Monthly or The Cuenca Dispatch Subscription – Annual.