‘Most wanted’ cartel leader still on the loose
Although the Colombian military command claims he was seriously injured in a gunfight last Saturday, Walter Patricio Arizala, alias Guacho, remains on the
run. The leader of a breakaway FARC rebel unit who refused to sign a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2015, is believed to be in or near the city of Tumaco, about 50 miles north of the Ecuadorian border, the command says.
Walter Patricio Artízala, alias Guacho.
In addition to sightings by Colombian soldiers of Guacho being carried away by his men, a military spokesman said large amounts of blood were found in and near a house where the fugitive was staying before last week’s gun battle.
Guacho has admitted to the kidnapping and murder of three Quito journalists in April and is the “Number one most wanted man” in both Ecuador and Colombia, according to sources in both countries.
Businesses fined for not issuing receipts
Agents from Ecuador’s Internal Revenue Service (SRI) are warning Cuenca businesses that they must give all customers receipts for items and services purchased. Last week, fines and warnings were issued at least 50 businesses who did not give receipts. Most of the businesses cited were restaurants, bars, copy centers, and beauty shops, an SRI official said. “It is the law that receipts be given for all purchases or services and customers must be asked if they want receipts with or without official data,” the official said.
Armando Lana, SRI zone six director warned business owners that they can face prison time for tax evasion and money laundering if they do not issue receipts. He also asked that customers report violations. “Citizens can report merchants that do not provide sales receipts through the SRI website,” he said, adding that all information provided is confidential.
Lana said that SRI agents focused last week in the historic district and on Avs. Remigio Crespo and Del Estadio, but will expand to new areas this week.
11 injured in Vilcabamba bus accident
Bus overturned south of Vilcabamba.
The national transit police report that 11 passengers were injured early Sunday when a interprovincial bus overturned south of Vilcabamba. The investigation continues into reasons for the crash, police say, but excessive speed is suspected. The accident occurred between Vilcabamba and Yangana, near the Izhcayluma resort. The seriously injured were taken to the health clinic in Vilcabamba and a hospital in Loja.
Moreno in U.S. for meetings, UN address
President Lenin Moreno has a full schedule in the second day of his visit to New York. He will speak this morning at a ceremony honoring former South African President Nelson Mandela and then meet with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Afterward, he will attend an afternoon welcome meeting hosted by the U.S. ambassador to the UN. On Tuesday, he will be the third speaker on the UN General Assembly agenda, addressing the issue of effective methods of international relations.
On Thursday, Moreno will address an international relations conference at Harvard University in Boston.
