Fireworks and sweets: Corpus Christi kicks off Thursday
A total of 120 vendors have been authorized to sell candy, cakes and cookies around Parque Calderon during the Corpus Christi festival, beginning Thursday. In addition, dozens of fireworks “castles” are being
prepared for the nightly pyrotechnic shows that continue through June 10. According to event organizers, more than 200 law enforcement officers will be on hand during the festival to maintain order. Streets around Parque Calderon will be closed at 7 p.m. during the festival for the fireworks displays.
Flooding damages parks on Rios Tomebamba and Yanuncay
Flood-damaged boardwalk in Parque Paraiso.
City parks and sanitation workers have started cleanup and repair work in Parque Paraiso and other linear parks along the Tomebamba and Yanuncay Rivers. Flood waters from weekend rains damaged wooden walkways and exercise equipment in several locations. In addition, large amounts of debris was deposited by the high water. Cuenca’s sanitation service, EMAC, said that repair and cleanup could take two to three weeks.
Government targets counterfeit drivers licenses
According to Ecuador’s National Transit Agency (ANT), at least 16,000 fake drivers licenses were sold last year, many through social media. In Cuenca and Azuay Province, authorities estimate that 1,500 illegal licenses were issued. Prices for the licenses ranges from $60 to $1,100, depending on license type, according to Teodoro Marín, ANT regional director. He says that improvements in the national license data base will soon allow transit officers to make instant checks of license validity.
Correa’s legal secretary admits judicial corruption occurred
Alexis Mera, the legal secretary to former president Rafael Correa, says there were cases of illegal interference in the judicial process during the previous government. “I must admit that there was judicial corruption in the last decade,” he said. “In some instances, the corruption harmed the national government.” Mera was testifying before the National Assembly in impeachment proceedings against nine former members of the national judicial council.
