Mayor and prefect develop agenda for the National Assembly; ‘Most wanted’ man arrested in the U.S.; Noboa, González in virtual tie as last votes counted

Azuay Province Prefect Juan Cristóbal Lloret and Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora said Wednesday they are working together with newly elected National Assembly members on an agenda to meet the needs of the city and province.

“We have serious needs that have not been met by recent governments that we hope can be addressed by the new Assembly and the six asambleistas of Azuay Province,” Lloret said during a press conference with Zamora. “We are developing an agenda with the help of cantonal and parish councils as well as the people of the province to provide guidance for the Assembly.”

Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora and Azuay Province Prefect Juan Cristóbal Lloret.

Among the biggest issues faced by Cuenca and the provinces, says Zamora are the protection of water sources threatened by mining projects, street and highway improvements and security. “Both the prefect and I are also continue our fight for decentralization of administrative functions and programs. We believe we are better able to address the needs of our communities at the local level and want the authority and funding to do that.”

Zamora said he and Lloret have invited President Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González to Cuenca to present their proposals. Noboa and González meet in an April 13 runoff election for the presidency.

‘Most wanted’ man arrested in the U.S.
A man who has been on Ecuador’s most wanted list since 2022 was arrested in a Central Ohio suburb Wednesday.

Luis Naula-Candelario, 29, was wanted for the 2019 killing of Brenda Alexandra Garcia Puya in Cañar Province.

The U.S. Marshals located Naula-Candelario at a home in Pickerington, Ohio. They say he exited the home after a brief standoff and was taken into custody.

“The U.S. Marshals in Southern Ohio and ICE work together daily to locate and apprehend violent fugitives in our community,” the Marshal’s office said in a statement “This arrest is the result of the daily sharing of resources and information with all our task force partners as well as with law enforcement personnel in Ecuador.”

Noboa, González in virtual tie as the last votes are counted
With 99.81% of votes counted as of 5 p.m. Thursday, President Daniel Noboa holds a narrow 16,291 vote lead over Luisa González.

Noboa and González will face each other in an April 13 runoff election with the winner taking office in May.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) said it continues to count votes in the National Assembly race but current projections show Citizens Revolution holding a 67 to 66 seat advantage in the 151-seat Assembly.