Noboa to add more questions to military referendum; Nepotism targeted at the National Assembly; Cuenca celebrates the Virgin; Water service is restored

President Daniel Noboa said Monday he plans to add as many as seven questions to a referendum asking voters to allow the return of a U.S. military base in Ecuador. He declined to comment on what those questions will be, but it’s widely believed that one will ask for the elimination of the Council of Citizen Participation and Social Control (Cpccs).

On June 3, the National Assembly approved a partial constitutional amendment to lift the country’s long-standing ban on foreign military bases. The current constitution declares Ecuador a “territory of peace” and prohibits such installations. The wording of a referendum question to allow foreign bases must now pass the review of the Constitutional Court.

Crowds gathered Tuesday and Wednesday at the Virgen del Carmen Church at Cuenca’s Plazoleta de las Flores. (El Mercurio)

“The installation of foreign military bases is one of my government’s priorities to strengthen international cooperation regarding security,” Noboa said in a recent interview.

In addition to a U.S. military presence in Ecuador, Noboa said support could come from European nations to combat transnational organized crime. He pointed out that 55% of illegal drug shipments from Ecuadorian ports are destined for Europe.

Virgen del Carmen celebrated
If you’ve been woken lately by the sound of marching bands in El Centro at 3 in the morning, blame it on the Virgen del Carmen. She’s also to blame for the fireworks lighting up the nighttime sky this week in neighborhoods throughout Cuenca.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, hundreds gathered at the Plazoleta de las Flores adjacent to the 300-year-old Carmelite Convent for special masses and dance and musical performances honoring the virgin. Although Carmen’s birthday is July 16, events have been planned throughout the week.

Nepotism targeted at the National Assembly
Forty government employees have resigned or been fired as a result of National Assembly President Niels Olsen campaign to eliminate nepotism in government offices. “I’m starting with the Assembly, since this is where I work, but this practice must end in all government offices,” he said Tuesday.

Twelve of those terminated were related to members of the Citizens Revolution movement while 10 were related to members of Olsen’s own National Democratic Action (ADN) party. Two had family links to the Social Christians. Sixteen others held positions outside of the Assembly but were related to assembly members.

Nepotism in government hiring is prohibited by law, Olsen says, but the rule has often been ignored. “It is time to change this and to obey the law,” he said. “We are not here for personal benefit but to serve and honor the citizens of the country. Members of the Assembly must understand that the rules apply to everyone, without exemption.”

Water service restored in Cuenca and Gualaceo
Water service was restored Wednesday to thousands of Cuenca and Gualaceo residents. An estimated 150,000 were without water on Monday and Tuesday in northern and eastern sectors of Cuenca following the rupture of a water main near the El Cebollar treatment plant. More than 25,000 in Gualaceo suffered cutoffs due to diesel contamination in the Rio San Francisco.

In Cuenca, ETAPA said some customers may continue to experience brief service outages, but these should end by Friday.

Gualaceo officials say most of the diesel fuel spilled from an overturned tanker truck Sunday has passed down the river or has been removed at the city’s water processing plant.