ECUADOR DIGESTSeven of the most violent countries are in Latin America

Seven of the 14 most violent countries in the world are in Latin America, according to the second edition of  the Global Burden of Armed Violence, a book released last week by the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.

The Geneva group, launched in 2008, reports that “a quarter of all violent deaths in the world occurred in only 14 countries.” The six Latin American countries listed are El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Jamaica and Belize. When the list is extended to the top 20, Mexico and Nicaragua are included.

The Global Burden says that armed groups, often linked to drug trafficking, are the main source of violence. This proves that “most of the countries affected by the violent deaths are not at war” says Keith Krause, professor at the Institute of International Studies and Development in Geneva, who participated in drafting the document. Iraq, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Lesotho, Central African Republic, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo complete the list of 14 most violent countries.

El Salvador is the most violent country in the world with over 60 deaths per 100,000 population.

According to the report, 526,000 people die violently each year worldwide, but only 55,000 of them lost their lives in acts of political terrorism, the report said.

ECUADORIAN CHOCOLATE VOTED BEST IN THE WORLD

The Ecuadorian cacao was named best in the world, at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France, an event that was held from 19 to 21 October in the third edition of the International Cocoa Awards, chocolate is considered the most important trade fair.

Two samples of Ecuador, of the 50 pre-selected worldwide, were honored.

Cocoa Sulagro company, located in Balao, Guayas Province, owned by Vicente Norero, was rated the best for quality floral, and the Farmers Association Catarama, Los Rios, whose president is Hector Ocaña as the best cocoa beans by geographic region.

Also participating in the competition West and Central Africa (13 samples), South America (17 samples), Central America and the Caribbean (13 samples), Southeast Asia and Pacific (7 samples).  In South America, Colombia and Brazil were awarded with one sample.

The National Association of Exporters of Cocoa (ANECACAO) was the institution responsible for the selection, preparation and shipment of samples to Paris for the contest.

ECUADOR´S CASINOS GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO SHUT DOWN

Casinos in Ecuador have been given six months to shut up shop, costing about 3,200 people their jobs, after voters approved the change in a referendum, the president’s office said on Sunday.

President Rafael Correa, a socialist and economist by training, in August told casino owners they would have one to two years to close up shop.

But he accelerated the time frame on Sunday, instead giving six months to implement the change approved in a May 7 vote.

Workers who lose jobs under the change will be eligible for job retraining. The casinos are mainly in larger hotels often operated by foreign companies.