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Among the public works projects scheduled for 2009 by Cuenca’s city government are a reburfishment of Parque de la Madre and traffic improvements in the historic district. The work in Parque de la Madre, including construction of a school athletic center and a cafeteria, could begin as early as February, according to city coordinator Jaime Siguenza. Other...

Although Ecuador real estate sales to foreigners increased in 2008, the number was dwarfed by purchases by Ecuadorian citizens returning from the U.S. and Europe.  Gustavo Moreno, spokesman for a Quito-based national real estate trade organization, said the worsening world economy will probably bring more Ecuadorians back to the country, helping to keep the real...

A crowd estimated to be 4,000, gathered at the Cuenca airport on Thursday to meet the body of an Ecuadorean immigrant beaten to death, Dec. 7, in New York. The Brooklyn murder of 31 year old Jose Sucuzhanay is the second high-profile killing of a Cuencano in the U.S. this year. The murders have made international headlines and focused attention...

President Rafael Correa's decision to default on foreign bond payments has set off a debate over the consequences as well as speculation that other Latin American countries will follow Ecuador's lead. In his Friday decision, Correa vowed to fight "monster" debt-holders in court in one of most aggressive moves against investors in the region in many years.  Correa,...

Icaro Airlines has suspended its Quito to Cuenca service. The airline first claimed that the suspension would be temporary, the result of  Sept. 22 accident at the Quito airport that took one of its aircraft out of service. The airline has since confirmed that it is reducing service nationwide and would not resume service to Cuenca.  To compensate...

Enforcement of Ecuador’s new traffic law begins in earnest this week as police across the country receive explanations of the new regulations … and new ticket books. Ecuador Department of Transportation officials said that full enforcement of the law will take several months due to on-going, training programs for taxi, bus and truck drivers. Officials emphasize...

Aerogal, one of Ecuador's three national airlines, announced Oct. 12 that it will begin international service between Quito, Guayaquil and Miami, Dec. 7. The Cuenca-based airline, began the service last year but suspended operations within days due to aircraft problems. The airline has completed its purchase of five new aircraft, bringing its fleet total to 17,...

President Rafael Correa fulfilled a campaign promise he made two years ago to change the constitution as Ecuadorian voters overwhelmingly approved the new charter. The 444-article document received 65% of the votes in a campaign highlighted by strong Catholic church opposition. The church contended that the constitution was “soft” on abortion and protested the legalization of same-sex...

A Cuenca language school is looking for two or three English teachers for the start of new classes next week. The school, located in the historic district, has both English and Spanish students, and uses an approach incorporating substantive subjects into language training in advanced classes. A new private Spanish tutoring program offers its services in October....

According to Douglas Griffiths, U.S. Consul General to Ecuador, cooperation between the U.S. and Ecuador is stronger than it has been in years. In an hour-long meeting with U.S. citizens living in Cuenca, Thursday, Sept. 25, Griffiths said that despite political differences with the government of Rafael Correa, the U.S. enjoys a strong working relationship with...

By Tim Vickery It looked a long shot a year ago after the team's disastrous start to the current campaign: losing at home to Venezuela followed by crushing defeats at Brazil and Paraguay, after which coach Luis Fernando Suárez stepped down. Almost a year later, the picture is much brighter. First-place Paraguay aside, everyone is...

Despite rumors to the contrary, the laws and major policies of the Ecuadorian immigration office relating to foreigners have not changed, according to an immigration expert. "Rules and interpretations change day to day and from one director to the next, but this has always been the case," says Ron VanDercreek, a retired Quito attorney who...