Ecuador News

Rosa Argudo, president of the employee union at José Carrasco Arteaga Social Security hospital in Cuenca, was fired Friday following an investigation of “irregularities in her professional duties.” Argudo’s dismissal was announced by Cuenca National Assemblyman Adrián Castro, who had spearheaded an investigation into allegations of nepotism, inappropriate influence over hospital purchases and misuse of...

As expected, power blackouts will continue next week. Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves announced Friday morning that blackouts in the first week of October will be similar in length to those currently in effect, ranging from seven to 10 hours a day, based on local conditions. Schedules will be determined by local electric utility companies. He...

Jueves, 26/9/2024 Hola, Todos – Actividades – Ferias en MMAM – The Feria de Arte de Cuenca “ArtCue 2024” will be from 1-4/11 in the Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno (MMAM). Artists, collectives or foundations, galleries, and art material providers can apply to participate in this art fair up to el 6/10 in the social...

As fires raged throughout the country, President Daniel Noboa cut short his attendance at the United Nations Wednesday to return to Ecuador. “Given the circumstances, my priority is to command all efforts in the face of the new enemy,” he said, referring to fires in Quito and elsewhere. Noboa attended a Wednesday night meeting of...

Officials from Ecuador’s Energy Ministry meet Friday with the Emergency Operations Committee in Quito and are likely to extend electric blackouts to next week. The ministry reported Thursday that nationally hydroelectric generation dropped from 32% capacity to 29% in the last six days due low river and reservoir levels. Local electric utilities will determine schedules...

By Simone Iglesias Nicolas Maduro’s Venezuela is not included on a list of prospective invitees to the BRICS bloc of emerging market countries that has circulated among the group’s members at the United Nations this week, according to three Brazilian officials familiar with the situation. Maduro has chased a BRICS invite as the group plans...

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with starting the massive Guápulo fire in Quito. Called one of the most destructive in Quito history, the fire destroyed homes and forests in the Bellavista and the Bolaños neighborhoods and in Metropolitan Park. While an investigation is underway, police say only that the unnamed suspect, a...

The Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant increased production Monday and Tuesday as a result of recent rains in Napo Province, Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves said. “What is important is that the extra generation allowed us to turn off the turbines at Paute-Mazar, which allowed the Mazar reservoir water level to increase,” he said. After losing...

Jueves, 24/9/2024 Hola, Todos – Actividades – Saberes ancestrales (Ancestral knowledge) – The Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) is inviting the public to a book launch for “Saberes Ancestrales: Uso de las Plantas Medicinales del Cantón Cuenca” (Ancestral Knowledge: Use of Medicinal Plants in the Canton of Cuenca), coordinated by Fredi Portilla Farfán y7 Geovanna Zea...

When asked at a Monday press conference when electric blackouts will end, Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves said, “I cannot tell you what only God knows.” He added that “rain is the only way out” of Ecuador’s energy crisis. “Specifically, we need rain to refill the Mazar reservoir near Cuenca and when that happens, rationing will...