Singing and selling on the tram is prohibited; Illegal mines are destroyed in Camilo Ponce Enríquez; Extortionists busted; Azogues celebrates founding

Bored? –
(De El Mercurio de miércoles, 25/3) Agenda –
jueves, 26/3, 19:00 – Opening of photo exhibit – Hiperseries by Fernando Piedra – Sala Proceso (Luis Cordero y Pres. Córdova).
viernes, 27/3, 14:00 – Mediación Lectora and painting workshop – Vencer la Pereza (Overcoming laziness or procrastination) – Municipal Library of Octavio Cordero.
14:30 – Viernes de cuentos (Friday stories) – Municipal Library of El Valle.
19:00 – Dance Presentation – Ballet Folclórico Kawsayñan – Parish Auditorium of Sayausí (Av. Ordóñez Lasso).
18:00 – Terror film – “November” – Casa del Artista.
19:30 – Screening of mini-documental – “Soy Yo” – Parish Auditorium of Sayausí.

International Theater Day is being celebrated in Cuenca with a series of performances. (El Mercurio)

(De El Mercurio de miércoles, 25/3) Agenda escénica para recordar Día del Teatro (Performance schedule to commemorate Theater Day) – The Día Internacional del Teatro is celebrated every 27/3 and is an initiative by the Instituto Internacional del Teatro (ITI). The Colectivo Artistico Barojo, in coordination with the City Department of Culture has prepared a day which starts el viernes, 27/3 a las 10:00 in the Teatro Sucre with “Cuando llegue Rosa” which is a story about a couple and the complexities of daily love. <The complexity can be reduced if you remember, “She’s always right.”>

At 11:30, “Maria la Guagua” will be staged which depicts social and human realities of another era. A las 15:00, “Tres veces asesinada” will be staged and is based on the investigation into the death of poetess Dolores Veintimilla, and reflects on the historic context from a current perspective. Those who want to attend should reserve their seat by calling WhatsApp 099 900 3134. The day ends a las 20:00 with “Killa Saririkuna” a show combining dance, live music, circus, aerial acrobatics, and theater. It is inspired by Andean legends and the cultural diversity of the country. This show is open to the public with tickets costing $7 and $10.

(De El Mercurio del martes, 24/3) Azogues con agenda por cantonización (Schedule for cantonization anniversary of Azogues) – Azogues is celebrating its 201st anniversary as a canton with activities into mayo. Following is a list of the main events.
sábado, 28/3 a las 9:00 – Opening of the festivities on calle Bolívar.
sábado, 11/4 a las 14:00 – Election of the Azogueñita 2026 – coliseo Tipo Mil in the Ciudadela del Chofer.
domingo, 12/4 a las 7:00 – The Ruta 10k de las Iglesias race.
miércoles, 15/4 a las 9:00 – Student parade, “Cultura y Sentimiento: El latir por Azogues” – in the main streets of the city.
jueves, 16/4 a las 11:00 – A solemn session – “Gullermo Domínguez Tapia” theater.
sábado, 25/4 a las 10:00 – II Festival de Bandas de Guerra – in the center of the city.
domingo, 17/5 a las 7:00 – Conclusion of the events with Azogues 360 “Huella Ancestral.”
The schedule also includes the delivery of potable water systems, expositions, open houses, sports contests, and anniversaries of schools.

Curious? –
(De El Mercurio del lunes, 23/3) Golpe a minería ilegal en Camilo Ponce Enríquez (Blow to Illegal Mining in Camilo Ponce Enríquez) – The Fuerzas Armadas (FF.AA – Armed Forces) have maintained operations against illegal mining in Camilo Ponce Enríquez in Azuay which is on the border with neighboring provinces El Oro and Guayas. Last sábado, with the help of the Agencia de Regulación y Control de las Telecomunicaciones (ARCOM), it intervened in the Rumiñahui and Bella Rica sectors. Military personnel verified the existence of camps utilized for illegal mining, which were empty at the time of the operation. Machinery, fuel, supplies and explosives were found and blown up. This keeps these resources from being reused and directly affects the illegal economy tied to illegal mining. The FF.AA. posted videos of the explosions. <Is this why boys join the military? For the chance to blow things up?> Other operations have been carried out this year including one on last jueves in the San Gerardo and Mollopongo sectors. Military intelligence identified illegal mines and camps. A clandestine mineshaft was destroyed and dangerous material used in mining was seized as evidence. During operations on el 24/2, 18/1, and 15/1, items seized included 50 kg sacks of ammonium nitrate, slow-burning fuse, detonators, standard assembled capsules (?), explosives, generators and compressors.

In 2024, Camilo Ponce Enríquez was the most violent canton in Azuay with a rise of killings tied to illegal mining and criminal disputes to control gold mining territory. In the last months, these violent deaths and other criminal acts have decreased considerably in the midst of continuing operations by the FF.AA and Policía Nacional. The FF.AA. has also maintained a presence in Pucará, Azuay where clandestine operations that affect the environment have been identified. Its mission is to execute internal military operations focused on strengthening citizen safety and confront mining activities that do not comply with current laws. The military deployed have tactical vehicles and special arms that allow strategic deployment. They also receive helicopter support which facilitates supervision from the air, coordination of operations in real time, and reinforces troop security during interventions.

(De El Mercurio del martes, 24/3) Prohibido cantar y ventas en Tranvía (No singing or selling on the Tranvía) – Last weekend, an incident was reported when a citizen boarded the Tranvía with a guitar and started to sing. This prompted a warning from the train controller. The ordinance that regulates the tram system says that riders abstain from acts that disturb tranquility, comfort, security and integrity in the train. The ordinance also says respecting instructions, recommendations, or indications established in visual signals, posters and visible accessories is mandatory. The Tranvía announced that it does not permit anyone boarding the train to ask for support, to sell things, or to sing.

(De El Mercurio del lunes, 23/3) Cae una red de tráfico de drogas en Cuenca (Drug trafficking ring busted in Cuenca) – The Policía Nacional in Azuay reported that in the “Cero Impunidad 8577” operation, a micro drug trafficking network was broken up. Agentes encubiertos (undercover agents – your phrase for the day) located the suspects in the Barrial Blanco. 2 people suspected of selling controlled substances were arrested in a raid. Neither had a criminal record. Seized in the raid were 26 grams of cocaine and 55 grams of marijuana, cash, and 2 cell phones. The penal code calls for 1-3 years in prison depending on the scale and aggravating factors. Sales to children or teens calls for the maximum sentence, increased by a third.

The police announced that the Unidad Nacional Antisecuestros y Extorsión (UNASE) captured people suspected of extortion in Cuenca. The suspects threatened a victim over WhatsApp, demanding $1,000 to not kill him or his employees. The police also arrested 2 women in Totoracocha. Their victim was also threatened over WhatsApp by suspected gang members who demanded money in exchange for not killing her or her family. Under pressure, she made deposits. As evidence, the police gathered proof of transfers and cell phones. <The extortionists gave out their bank account information? Now those are surely candidates for the Darwin Awards. I think time spent in prison counts as temporary removal from the gene pool.> Authorities urge citizens to quickly report attempts at extortion in order to activate protection protocols and avoid these criminal practices from expanding in the community. The reports are confidential and fundamental to identify those responsible, break up criminal groups, and strengthen security for the citizenry.

(De El Mercurio del lunes, 23/3) El ‘Gallinazo Rey’ está recuperado 9 meses después (The ‘King Vulture’ has recovered after nine months) – the ‘Gallinazo Rey,’ also known as the Amazonian condor, was rescued 9 months ago in critical condition: he was tied up, injured with a broken wing, had lost an eye, and was the victim of illegal animal trafficking. The Amaru Bioparque Cuenca posted that after months of rehabilitation, he has recovered his strength, his colors, and his history. Although he can’t return to the wild, his story will be used as an educational and awareness tool. The zoo is making him a new habitat. This rescue is in a worrying context since illegal ownership and trafficking of wild animals is still a problem in Ecuador, with birds one of the most affected species. According to the Proyecto Sistema Nacional de Control Forestal y Vida Silvestre (PSNCFVS – National Forest and Wildlife Monitoring System Project), 461 animals were rescued in 2025, 545 in 2024, and 526 in 2023. <I wonder if those rescues included the suitcase full of tortoises a trafficker was trying to smuggle out?> Animals rescued led with 198 reptiles, then 140 mammals, and 122 birds. This data shows that in spite of a decrease, the threat to wildlife remains.