Noboa eliminates electric subsidy for mining; Court greenlights Noboa’s foreign military base proposal; Ecuador ties Uruguay in World Cup qualifier

President Daniel Noboa announced Tuesday that he is eliminating the electricity subsidy for mining companies. On his X account, the president said: “It is incongruous and unfair to offer a subsidy to mining companies since subsidies should go only to those who need them most.”

Noboa blamed previous government for establishing and maintaining the subsidy for “well-financed mining interests that generate large profits,” and suggested that bribery or other acts of corruption may have been involved in decisions.

Ecuador’s Moisés Caicedo challenges a Uruguayan footballer in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier tie match in Montevideo.

He pointed out that mining companies consume more electricity than public health hospitals and clinics and said it was time to correct the imbalance.

Court greenlights Noboa’s foreign military base proposal
The Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that President Daniel Noboa can proceed with his proposal to allow foreign military bases in Ecuador for the purpose of combating the international drug trade. The proposal must go first to the National Assembly for review and then voters in a national referendum.

Currently, Ecuador’s constitution prohibits foreign military installations in the country, stating that “Ecuador is a territory of peace” and will not be party to foreign military conflict.

In its ruling, the Court ordered the Assembly to review the proposal before it goes to a public vote, a process that take up to 120 days.

Ecuador ties Uruguay in World Cup qualifier
Ecuador played to a 0-0 tie with Uruguay Tuesday night in Montevideo in a World Cup qualification match, a bittersweet result given that the Tri-color was the dominant team for much the match. Following last week’s tie with Paraguay in Quito, Ecuador remains in the World Cup qualification zone, earning two points for the two ties.

In Cuenca, a crowd of about 500 watched the game on the big screen in Parque Calderon. The municipal government provided the viewing option due to blackouts in some many parts of the city.

Students want Che’s name removed from street
Students from Catholic University-Cuenca are petitioning the city of Azogues to change the name the street in front of the university’s Azogues campus. “We insist that Che Guevara Avenue be renamed since it is inappropriate to honor a man who committed crimes against humanity, especially against women and children,” the petition reads.

“We understand circumstances were different 40 years ago when the street was named but today we have much more information about the actions of Che Guevara and his comrades and are aware of the crimes he was involved in,” the statement continues.

The petition, addressed to the Azogues mayor and cantonal council, states that renaming of the street is supported by the Catholic University president and other administrators.