Cuenca foundation holiday events planned; Social media abuzz with crime reports; Climate change reduces river flow; Security cameras to be installed

Bored?
(De El Mercurio del viernes, 3/4) Escuela presenta proyecto “Constelaciones estelares” (School Presents “Star Constellations” Project) – The Unidad Educativa Eugenio Espejo will present its multidisciplinary stage project “Constelaciones estelares” next viernes, 17/4 a las 19:30 in the teatro Pumapungo. The work is a conceptual framework based on the story of Lúa, a girl who has centered her existence on the study of the cosmos. She sees the constellations as an escape from superficial and banal situations on which society is focused. <Does this dress make me look fat? Why doesn’t Supermaxi carry pickled herring?>

More than 130 events are planned to mark the 469th anniversary of Cuenca’s founding, including a display of cuy sculptures in city parks and plazas. (El Mercurio)

(De El Mercurio del viernes, 3/4) Clásicos de Schubert y Schumann en concierto (Schubert and Schumann Classics in Concert) – The Sala Continuum presents the concert, “Orange Arpeggione,” an evening of cello music played by Dixon Delgado. The event will be Saturday a las 18:00 in the calles Puerto de Palos y Francisco de Orellana in the Circo Social sector. The program will include the Sonata para arpeggione, D.821 by Franz Schubert, Stucke im Volkston/Piezas en estilo folklórico (Folk-style pieces) Op. 102 by Robert Schumann. Space limited to 25 people. Presale tickets: $7.00, $10.00 at the door. The admission includes a glass of wine. Make reservations at 098 315 7620 with an internal WhatsApp message.

(De El Mercurio del viernes, 3/4) Más de 130 actos por 469 años de fundación (More than 130 events to mark 469th anniversary of Cuenca’s founding) – The agenda is titled, “¡Que gara! Mi Cuenquita,” and was presented jueves in the plazoleta de Santo Domingo. Over 130 events will take place the whole of abril and include cultural, artistic, gastronomic and sports activities. Some of the highlighted activities include the artistic project “CuyKuna” which are 30 sculptures of cuyes in the Parque del Ferrocarril, Parque del Arco, pasaje Pedro Touloup, and the plazoleta de la Cruz de El Vado. A gastronomic event was developed in the mercado 12 de abril and invites the citizenry to tour the mercados and taste the traditional dish of Holy Week. <Bet you won’t get any fanesca better than the one my friends made today.> There will be a Bailatón, “Cholas Cuencanas” el sábado, 11/4 a las 10:00 in the Mirador de Turi.

The Sesión Solemne de Cabildo will be el 12/4 a las 11:00 in the Salón de la Ciudad. The Banquete de la Trucha will be mañana (sábado) in San Sebastián with more than 20 culinary offerings such as grilled or fried trout, garlic trout, and trout hamburgers. The escalinata César Dávila will be inaugurated el 10/4 a las 18:00. <The agenda should be on the city’s web site.>

Curious?
(De El Mercurio del miércoles, 1/4) Baja retención de agua en páramos afecta caudales (Low water retention in páramos affects river flows) – ETAPA pointed out that the reduction of flows in the rivers of Cuenca is due to the reduced capacity of soils in the páramo to retain water. The capacity was affected by the high radiation and droughts that occurred in past years. Rigoberto Guerrero, assistant environmental director of ETAPA, explained the reduction in flows has intensified since 2024. In addition, he emphasized the climate crisis has not only generated a lessening of rains, but is affecting the capacity of the soil to hold water. Although there have been intense rains recently, they have not occurred in the higher elevations which has impeded any significant recuperation of the flows which have been at about their average levels. In previous years, the city experienced notable increments in river flows. However, there was the 12 de marzo flooding of the Yanuncay. <Is Cuenca’s natural reservoir system breaking down? The páramos are no longer a sponge absorbing and then releasing water at a usable rate?>

(De El Mercurio del miércoles, 1/4) IVA del 8% se aplicará durante Semana Santa (8% IVA will apply during Holy Week) – Pres. Noboa issued an Executive Order to reduce the IVA from 15% to 8% from el viernes, 3/4 to el domingo 5/4. The reduction is applicable on services defined as tourist activities including lodging, food and beverages, travel agencies, tourist transport, events, guides, community centers, theme parks and spas. <So if you were thinking about going to Baños and getting in hot water, now’s the time.>

(De El Mercurio del jueves, 2/4) Ante denuncias de delitos elevan seguridad local (Increased local security in response to reports of crimes) – In the last few weeks, there have been reports on social media about various criminal acts in Cuenca such as robberies and kidnappings which have generated worries in the population. One of the most recent cases occurred in marzo in El Valle where a real estate agent was kidnapped along with her daughter and a co-worker. The delinquents posed as people interested in the property, held her against her will, and demanded money. The woman said she lost more than $21,000. Fortunately, the 3 victims were released and the Policía were able to identify the alleged mastermind who is now facing charges of kidnapping for ransom.

A woman reported another incident on social media that she was driving about 6:30 pm at the intersection of Manuel J. Calle and Paucarbamba when she was the victim of an attempted robbery. Someone threw a stone at her car, breaking a window while a motorcycle pulled up next to her to force her to slow down. In spite of the scare, she kept going and managed to get to safety. <She deliberately rear ended a convenient patrol car?>

Also, in the area around the mercado 27 de Febrero, there was a robbery attempt. A vendor was intercepted by 2 men while she was driving her car. One of them threw an object at the car while the other indicated that the rock had been thrown from a building, and asked her to get out of the car to verify that. Since there were other witnesses, the delinquents decided to leave. <Smart move – would you want to tangle with a posse of angry market ladies?>

These and other incidents reported on social media, show a growing need for more security in the city. El Mercurio contacted the Consejo de Seguridad Ciudadana (CSC) about advances in security systems. Xavier Barrera, director of the CSC said that 401 video surveillance cameras will start operating progressively starting in the middle of abril in the highest risk areas of the city. <For the average citizen, that would be their neighborhood even if the last crime was in 2019.> Currently, SCS is working to install the posts needed. A contract to install another 71 cameras with NPR technology to recognize license plates will be awarded el 6/4. These cameras will be at the entrances and exits to the city. In parallel, 220 cameras to be installed in key sectors such as the Centro Histórico and El Ejido are being acquired. The purchase of another 155 cameras to replace equipment at the end of their useful lives is being planned. Barrera said the goal of the Municipality is to have about 1,000 cameras in operation by the end of the year. CSC is also installing 400 community alarms: 189 to update existing equipment and the rest in new neighborhoods.

(De El Mercurio del viernes, 3/4) Hombre fue asesinado por sicarios (Man killed by hitmen) – A man was killed in the inside of a car on av. De Las Américas near av. González about 15:00 on el jueves, 2/2. The victim was driving a green Tucson which had bullet holes in the parabrisas (windshield – stop breeze or for breeze, your word for the day) and driver’s side window. People who were in the area such as other drivers tried to help the victim. A Red Cross ambulance responded, but the victim showed no signs of life. Witnesses said they heard at least 10 shots and those responsible were in a pickup truck dressed as police. Including this killing, there have been 12 violent deaths in Azuay so far this year.