Under the Law aimed at addressing the armed conflict, banks and cooperatives are required to remit taxes ranging from 5% to 25% in May 2024, contingent upon their respective profit margins. Banks and cooperatives in Ecuador are facing a significant tax burden, with...
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Illegal mining advances uncontrolled in the Ecuadorian Amazon and threatens protected areas and indigenous communities
by David Tarazona on March 15, 2024 Mining – both illegal and legal – went from deforesting 185 hectares in the Punino River, Napo, in 2022 to 784 in 2023, according to the most recent report from the Andean Amazon Monitoring Project (MAAP) and the Ecociencia...
Foreign Minister Sommerfeld refutes the notion of ‘bukelization’ in Ecuador’s fight against organized crime
Ecuadorian foreign minister Gabriela Sommerfeld reiterated the government's success in reducing the homicide rate by 60% under Daniel Noboa's administration, following the imposition of a state of emergency last January. Ecuador has witnessed an alarming eight-fold...
Prosecutor Diana Salazar Continues to Stir Both Criticism and Applause
As Correísmo section of the Assembly threatens impeachment, Salazar continues to bring corruption charges against politicians and members of the judiciary. Prosecutor Diana Salazar stands as a polarizing figure in Ecuador's legal landscape, commanding both admiration...
Ecuador faces multiple challenges in securing a new IMF loan
Returning to the IMF on such short notice poses challenges, yet the swift reforms implemented by the Noboa administration will likely garner favorable attention from the UN's financial agency. The Government of Ecuador, under the leadership of President Daniel Noboa,...
“Let’s not get confused, we attack criminal economies, not politicians.”
Noboa reaffirms his backing of Salazar as she unveils the creation of a novel Property Investigation Unit aimed at confiscating assets belonging to convicted criminals. At the conclusion of the second Penitentiary and Citizen Security Conference in Quito, Prosecutor...
Noboa’s Political Triumphs in the First 100 Days of Governance
In the annals of Ecuadorian history, the first 100 days of President Daniel Noboa’s administration will be remembered as a period of political dynamism and strategic decision-making.
IESS Proposes Contribution Increase Amidst Concerns Over Soaring Expenses from Ecuador’s Aging Population
Eduardo Peña, President of the IESS Board of Directors, suggests a gradual increase in the contribution rate from 20.6% to 30%.
Daniel Noboa Achieves Historic High in Presidential Approval for Ecuador
In addition to Noboa’s impressive 81% approval rating, over 60% of Ecuadorian citizens believe that the Popular Consultation will effectively address issues of insecurity and organized crime.
Cuenca Finally Gets to Experience Van Gogh Like Never Before
Having traversed the globe for more than ten years, “Van Gogh Alive” finally makes its highly anticipated debut in Cuenca. This momentous occasion follows its Ecuadorian premiere in Quito, back in January 2022.
Ecuador lost just over a million hectares of forest formations in 38 years
by Antonio José Paz Cardona on February 23, 2024 In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the accelerated growth of mining is worrying. In 2022 the activity reached 8,896 hectares. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, 1,405 new hectares were detected, equivalent to almost 2,000 professional...
Drone Plants 1,500 Trees in 15 Minutes to Combat Deforestation
This new technology can plant seeds 200 times faster than traditional methods.
The Cuenca – Molleturo – El Empalme Road Remains Shut Down Due to Landslide
A vehicle found itself trapped amidst the debris from a landslide, obstructing kilometer 90 of the Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme road.
Woman Escapes House Arrest in Cuenca While Under Police Surveillance
Despite the presence of four police officers guarding her, the career criminal managed to evade her home detention.
Ecuador and Colombia Forge Agreement for Individual Prisoner Repatriation
In a significant diplomatic move, high-level delegations from Ecuador and Colombia convened to address the pressing issue of repatriating convicted prisoners between the two nations.
Noboa Initiates Popular Consultation and Referendum: Electoral Process Set to Shape Nation’s Future
President Daniel Noboa has called for a popular consultation and referendum in Ecuador. Noboa notified and directed the National Electoral Council to proceed with the planned process for Ecuadorians to participate in the polls.
Ecuador Grapples with Extradition Challenges as Citizens Return from the US
Ecuador’s justice system braces for a significant development as citizens Jhony C. and Jhon D., accused of rape and murder respectively, are anticipated to return from the United States to face trial in the coming weeks. However, this development highlights Ecuador’s persistent challenges with extradition, revealing deep-rooted issues within its legal framework.
Dramatic Reduction in Violence: Zone 8 Police Chief Highlights Success of Joint Operations
In a recent interview, Zone 8 Police Commander General Víctor Herrera, revealed significant strides in combating violent crime in the region.
Sharp Decline in Violent Deaths Marks Ecuador’s Struggle Against Internal Armed Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, Ecuador has experienced a significant decrease in violent deaths, with a notable 41% drop following the declaration of an internal armed conflict. Between January 10 and 24, 2024, official figures reveal an average of 9.2 murders daily,...
Galapagos Seafood Innovation Lab Proposed to Tackle Food Insecurity
Covid-19 exposed food insecurity in largest Galapagos islands.
Tattoo Studios Experience Surge in Requests for ‘Cover-Up’ Transformations of Gang-Associated Tattoos
In the wake of the state of exception and internal armed conflict declared on January 9, 2024, the demand for tattoo studios in Guayaquil has experienced an unexpected shift.
Prosecutor Diana Salazar Highlights Anti-Corruption Efforts and Tackling Terrorism Financing in National Assembly Address
Salazar holds nothing back as she addresses National Assembly. In a gripping address to the National Assembly on January 25th, Attorney General Diana Salazar delved into the Metastasis case, shedding light on the intricate web of corruption within the country and the...
Kallari is Empowering Kiwcha Women Through Organic Cocoa and Chocolate
Kiwcha association ships 440 tons of cocoa to Germany and Switzerland annually. In the heart of Napo province, Ecuador, a remarkable story of empowerment and sustainable agriculture unfolds. Kallari, an association founded by Amazonian Kiwcha women 26 years ago, has...
President Noboa Takes on Fuel Subsidies, Aims for Targeted Approach
Ecuador's newly inaugurated President, Daniel Noboa, is confronting the complex issue of fuel subsidies just two months into his term. The move follows the footsteps of his predecessors, Lenín Moreno and Guillermo Lasso, both of whom attempted to curtail state...
Ecuador’s Country Risk Hits Lowest Level in Two Months Amid Government Measures
The most recent drop in the country risk came after the government sent its proposed VAT increase to the national Assembly.
Noboa says that the narco-terrorist groups gained strength over years, with roots extending back at least a decade
The President also said that for him re-election is not the priority, asserting that, “making a change in this country is the priority.”
Violent Death Rate Plummets From 28 to 6 Per Day in Just 40 Days
On January 9th, President Daniel Noboa declared an internal armed conflict, mobilizing the Armed Forces in the country.
Missing 13-Year-Old Found in Cuenca, Suspect to Face Rape Charges
Collaboration of Social Media Tips and Surveillance Footage Guides Authorities to Teen's Abductor's location. In a harrowing incident, 13-year-old Marcia PC, missing since January 12th in Cuenca, was located on Sunday night in the Álvarez citadel, leading to the...
Amazon on the limit: deforestation, degradation and illicit activities are destroying the largest tropical forest on the planet
Small agriculture and livestock farming, as well as gold mining and illegal logging stand out among the activities that are depredating this ecosystem. Deforestation and degradation of Amazon forests are two of the most critical problems facing Amazonian countries....
President Daniel Noboa Takes Controversial Measures to Tackle Fiscal Crisis in Ecuador
In a bid to address the ongoing internal war against drug mafia gangs, President Daniel Noboa has proposed a series of measures, including a significant increase in the value-added tax (VAT) from 12% to 15%. While critics argue against breaking the initial promise of...