Ex-Energy Minister says she warned Noboa of crisis, fears for her safety; New Cuenca-Guayaquil highway route is considered; Anti-narco dogs head to Cuenca

Jueves, 5/12/2024

Hola, Todos –

Actividades –

An ad for The Nutcracker on Ice. The Moscow Ballet on Ice will perform the Cascanueces (Nutcracker) on Ice el 6/12 in the Teatro Casa de la Cultura. Tickets are available from Golden Star, meet2go, and El Surtido. The floor is ecological ice. <If it’s the same synthetic ice as the ice rink in Cuenca, that stuff is almost impossible to skate on if you learned on real ice – frozen water instead of some kind of plastic.> No time or price given.

Titular –

Former Energy Minister Andrea Arrobo claims she warned President Daniel Noboa about the impending energy crisis.

Exministra Arrobo teme a represalias (Exminister Arrobo fears reprisals) – The impeachment against the ex-ministra de Enercía, Andrea Arrobo, which should have been held el miércoles, was suspended after she excused herself from participating in the process for fear of “devastating” retaliation. In a letter to the National Assembly, she said she had chats with Pres. Noboa in which she informed him of the energy crisis; that she wanted to make this information public so the citizenry could prepare for and control rationing; and that she was prohibited from talking to the public up to having a press conference cancelled. She said the reason for hiding what she wanted to make public was that blackouts would affect the referendum which was held last 21/4. She was later accused of sabotage for hiding information. <There’s more in the article, but it’s too complicated for me to figure out.>

Cuenca –

Músico ecuatoriano está nominado en los Grammy (Ecuadorian musician is nominated at the Grammy Awards) – Singer and producer Antonio Vergara achieved a musical milestone with his 2025 Grammy nomination in the category Mejor Álbum de Blues Contemporáneo for his album, “The Fury.” The 48 year old Guayaquileño received this prestigious nomination in a category historically dominated by US musicians with a few English nominees.

Por Cañar proponen la nueva vía a Guayaquil (New road to Guayaquil proposed through Cañar) – Specialists in infrastructure, transport and the environmment agree the proposed new road between Cuenca and Guayaquil should go through Cañar. For José Jaramillo, a civil engineer and ex- subsecretary in the Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas (MTOP), the new highway should be parallel to the Biblián-Zhud-Cochancay-El Triunfo, but only as far as El Tambo. From there the most efficient route to El Triunfo needs to be determined which will reduce the trip by at least 70 km. compared to the current road which covers 257 km. The current travel time of 4 hrs. & 20 min. would be reduced by 1 hr. and 45 min. The new highway is feasible in the long run but the response from people along the route needs to be seen. The road should have a toll to guarantee financing. 17,000 to 20,000 vehicles use the current road daily.

Milton Ortiz, a commercial engineer and transporter in the Federación Nacional de Transporte Pesado del Ecuador (Fenatrape – National Federation of Heavy Transport of Ecuador), said that the vía Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme is a good alternative but has restrictions. Not all kinds of cargo can be taken on that route, there are constant landslides and rock falls, and the 169 km. distance takes 3 hrs. & 30 min. depending on weather. A lot of companies don’t take this route because of the constant assaults. <Welcome to Guayas, now hand over your money, valuables, etc.>

Efraín Solano, a biologist and researcher in environmental conservation, said it is urgent to reduce the number of vehicles using the vía Cuenca-Molleturo-El Empalme since it crosses the Parque Nacional Cajas (PNC) which is a protected zone. The area provides almost 60% of the water for Cuenca and the roads generate noise, gases and wastes that affect the air, water and soil. He added that in Cañar, sensitive or fragile environmental areas that the PNC contains have not been identified which reduces the risk of serious environmental damage caused by road construction.

Sucesos –

Canes amaestrados destinados para Unidad Antinarcóticos de Cuenca (Trained canines destined for Cuenca’s Anti-Narcotics Unit) – 8 dogs acquired by the Consejo de Seguridad Ciudadana (CSC) arrived in Ecuador el 4/12 to become part of the Unidad Nacional Canina de Antinarcóticos de la Policía Nacional (National Anti-Narcotics Canine Unit of the National Police ) in Cuenca. The dogs were sent from certified kennels in the Netherlands to Quito where they will finish their quarantine and be trained before they are transported to Cuenca. <Probably good that they’re European dogs – better hips, free of hip dysplacia.> The purchase of the dogs was part of an agreement between the Municipio de Cuenca, the CSC, the Corporación Aeroportuaria de Cuenca, the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Police to support the internacionalization of the Mariscal La Mar Airport and the antinarcotics and migration services. The canine unit is expected to be operational in Cuenca by marzo, 2025. Besides the airport, there will be a canine unit to support controls in the Turi prison as well as for controls of shipping and delivery services, transportation, and preventive controls in different sectors of the city.

Nacional –

Entregan armamento para combate a la delincuencia (Weapons delivered to combat crime) – Pres. Noboa delivered 1,735 9mm. sub-machine guns to the Policía Nacional in a ceremony in Quevedo ayer. Previously, the police received 54,870 bulletproof vests, 571 double cab pickup trucks, 5,000 protective helmets, and 20.7 million pieces of ammunition.

Discuentos y compras –

Gran Bazar – In the Club Rotario Tomebamba (Av. 27 de Febrero) – viernes, 6/12 from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm and el sábado 7/12 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. <Ironically, the back of the club is on the Yanuncay River.>.

And that’s all for today so hasta ? –

Jeanne