“I didn’t have anything… I couldn’t give them gifts or food for tomorrow.”
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Daniel Noboa and the newly appointed Military Chief discuss a campaign against organized crime.
President Daniel Noboa inaugurated the new leadership of the Armed Forces, expressing confidence that their collective efforts would lead to victory in the ongoing battle against insecurity.
Historic legal victory returns ancestral land to Ecuador’s Siekopai indigenous people
The justice system in Ecuador has acknowledged the rightful ownership of 42,360 hectares in Pë’këya by an Amazonian community. This region encompasses significant sacred sites for the tribe.
Update: Wayra Plaza opens with all of Corporación Favorita brands under one roof
Update to: New Megamaxi set to open in Cuenca in November Published: volume 8, Issue 1 Corporación Favorita inaugurated Wayra Plaza, its inaugural 'power center,' in Cuenca on Friday, November 24th, drawing a substantial early crowd. Álvaro Róthembach, the manager of...
The turbulent insecurity legacy of Guillermo Lasso’s government
Guillermo Lasso’s presidency, spanning nearly 30 months, will be remembered for an exacerbation of violence, intensified drug seizures, unbridled prison chaos, and a paradoxical rise in organized crime at the expense of common criminal activities. As the administration concluded on November 23, 2023, the prevailing sentiment was one of unfulfilled promises and mounting security challenges.
Ministry of Energy unveils new plan to battle energy shortage
The Ministry of Energy has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the persistent issue of blackouts in the country. This initiative comes as a response to the recent challenges faced during the transition of power from the previous government to the current one, marked by unsuccessful attempts to secure additional electricity before the end of the term.
In shocking move, Vice President Abad ordered to move to Ecuadorian Embassy in Tel Aviv and become ‘a collaborator for peace’
President Daniel Noboa has intensified the estrangement within the Executive Branch by issuing a decree to overhaul the role of Vice President Verónica Abad. This restructuring, outlined in Executive Decree No. 30, places the Ministry of Labor and the National Planning Secretariat in charge of implementing the changes, signaling a significant reduction in the responsibilities assigned to Vice President Abad.
Noboa’s options for financing Ecuador’s spending and debt obligations are limited
In 2024, President-elect Daniel Noboa faces the formidable challenge of securing a staggering $10.5 billion to finance public spending and meet existing debt obligations. The escalating country risk further complicates his quest for foreign credit, as traditional avenues for borrowing become increasingly elusive.
Mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon grew almost 300% from 2015 to 2021
Mining activity, both legal and illegal, covered more than 7,495 hectares in the Ecuadorian Amazon in 2021, the most recent date analyzed in the study by the Andean Amazon Monitoring Project (MAAP) and the Ecociencia Foundation.
The most affected provinces are Zamora Chinchipe, Napo, and Sucumbíos. At least 46.7% of the mining detected in the Ecuadorian Amazon is located in indigenous territories.
Ecuador’s current energy crisis highlights the need to branch out from its reliance on hydroelectricity
In Ecuador, a recent series of electricity service cuts since October 27, 2023, stemming from a decline in national energy reserves, has underscored the need to comprehend the fundamental processes involved in electricity generation. While Ecuador utilizes a diverse range of energy sources, its over reliance on hydroelectric power— contributing to 92% of the country’s energy mix— has exposed a problem that may only get worse in the future.
The next two governments will have to pay $21.053 billion of external debt
The Government of Daniel Noboa will have to pay at least $5.38 billion of external debt until 2025. But the greatest payment pressure is in 2026 and 2027. Ecuador's total public debt amounts to $75.227 billion until August 2023, which is equivalent to 62% of the...
At least nine journalists fled Ecuador in 2023 due to threats from organized crime
“This is a product of the rise of organized crime gangs, and the inefficiency of security agencies and the lack of response from the Government.”
Ecuador’s Comprehensive Strategies to Navigate and Resolve Ongoing Energy Challenges
The timeline for the end of blackouts depends on various factors, including the successful contracting and operation of the targeted 465 MW, as well as hydrological conditions.
Noboa gears up for the financial hurdles he will face with visit to US and meetings with IMF, World Bank and OAS
The President-elect also met with US government officials, investors and trade representatives. Daniel Noboa Azín, the president-elect of Ecuador, embarked on a crucial leg of his international tour as he touched down in the United States on November 4, 2023. His...
US President Biden presides over economic meeting with South American leaders
At first Summit of Leaders of the Alliance for Economic Prosperity in the Americas (APEP), Biden pushes for growth of middle-class across Americas. President Joe Biden unveiled a series of initiatives on Friday aimed at bolstering the economies of Latin American...
As Ecuador grapples with drought-induced blackouts, the worst is still to come
As Ecuador confronts a severe drought, the repercussions are becoming increasingly evident, with the most critical phase projected to hit in December 2023. Currently, areas like Daule Peripa, boasting abundant rainfall, and Coca Codo Sinclair, where drought conditions...
Ecuador creates a new area to protect water and biodiversity in Cuenca
The Machángara Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge is a new protected area in Ecuador with 24,958 hectares. The main objectives of the refuge are the protection of the water in the area that provides water to Ecuador's third largest city, Cuenca, and other nearby towns in the...
Noboa secures sufficient assembly members’ support for an Absolute Majority
The 5 different parties of the National Assembly are in dialogue to build a majority of at least 70 votes, enough to approve laws and resolutions. Daniel Noboa's government has two options to seek alliances. Securing a majority in the National Assembly is the top...
UN counter-terrorism committee on to embark on an analysis Ecuador’s insecurity situation
President Guillermo Lasso has made an appeal to the United Nations through this committee, seeking greater cooperation and the initiation of technical assistance projects to effectively combat the rising insecurity in the country. The Committee against Terrorism is...
Avian flu: the H5N1 virus arrived in the Galapagos National Park
The first confirmed cases of avian flu in Galapagos birds were recorded on September 19, 2023. In Peru, around half a million birds died from this cause inside and outside protected areas, according to information from that country. Scientists fear that these numbers...
Noboa will launch a popular consultation to overhaul the role of Ecuador’s Armed Forces
During his recent visit to Rome, President-elect Noboa reaffirmed his commitment to propose reforms aimed at combating organized crime and delinquency in the country through a popular consultation within the first 100 days of his term. On October 23rd, Noboa outlined...
New government will inherit tax changes focused on ISD reduction and income tax deductions
New controls put in place in 2023 continue to find tax cheaters. The income recovered will help balance the reduction in ISD. As the current year draws to a close, the Internal Revenue Service (SRI) is on track to collect nearly $1.0 billion from ‘tax cheaters,’...
Noboa took Presidency by converting previous Correísta voters
Between August and October, Daniel Noboa made significant political gains, capturing 39 cantons from Correísmo. This strategic shift was observed in the second round of elections, where Noboa not only retained his own victories but also secured 28 cantons previously...
Drug gang alliances in Ecuador tap into Mexican cartels and European mafia
The alliance between Tiguerones, Lobos, Mexican cartels, and the Albanian mafia has led to widespread insecurity in Ecuador. In recent years, Ecuador's criminal landscape has witnessed a surge in influence orchestrated by the unholy union between local gangs, Mexican...
BY Asesores de Seguros steals over $7 million after promising investors 9% returns
At least 700 individuals have suffered losses from their involvement with BY Asesores de Seguros. The company, which raised funds, promised returns of up to 9% per month, resulting in losses totaling a minimum of $7 million. Karina initially believed BY Asesores de...
Ecuador’s Hydroelectric Power Struggles Amidst Drought and Infrastructure Challenges
In the wake of a severe drought gripping the eastern region of Ecuador, the nation's hydroelectric power production has experienced a significant drop, plummeting from its usual contribution of 90% to a mere 79%. This decline in power production, as reported by the...
New Megamaxi set to open in Cuenca in November
Corporación La Favorita is set to unveil its inaugural Megamaxi in Cuenca come mid-November 2023, following an extensive two-year construction effort bolstered by a substantial $35 million investment. Corporación La Favorita’s new Megamaxi is in the El Paraíso sector,...
How to obtain Ecuador’s digital driver’s license
The introduction of the digital driver's license marked a significant milestone in Ecuador's efforts to modernize its licensing system. Implemented in January 2021, Ecuador’s digital driver's license is now provided free of charge by the National Transit Agency (ANT)...
González and Noboa debate offered little more substance than their campaign proposals
Those hoping for a fiery debate between presidential candidates Luisa González and Daniel Noboa, instead tuned in for a rehash of campaign points and the occasional mild accusation. The presidential debate that unfolded on the evening of October 1, 2023, between the...
Ecuador’s Looming Electricity Crisis: A Deepening Concern
In recent years, Ecuador has been grappling with the ominous specter of electricity blackouts, a crisis that threatens to plunge the nation into darkness and disrupt its economic stability. While the immediate future may not involve electricity rationing, the country...