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Ángeles are a popular theme within the social structure of Ecuador. Catholicism reigns in this small South American country. There are paintings and statuary, carvings, drawings and reliefs of ángeles everywhere. Most of these are depicted in the traditional manner,...
Cuenca’s transportation chief, Jaime Guzman, says that operating costs for the tranvía will be known in July. That’s when transit consultant Leon Godoy delivers its final report and recommends a fare that will cover costs. That fare, however, may not be the one that...
The Guayaquil Municipal Transit Authority has ordered the international taxi service Cabify to end its operations in the city. The authority claims that the company is operating “informally” since it does not follow rules that apply to other taxi companies in the...
By Vince Moscoso I’m sorry I missed Friday’s meeting down at the Social Security office. Sounds like it was blast. What I haven’t missed is the veritable deluge of comments about the meeting and changes to Social Security membership fees that have appeared on this...
Those arrested for drunk driving and other crimes in Cuenca may soon find themselves cleaning graffiti off city buildings instead of serving jail time. On Tuesday, a group of men arrested for driving under the influence last weekend were put to work removing graffiti...
By José R. Cárdenas U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement and his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership have led some critics to claim that the United States is turning its back to regional trading partners, and...
Police in Lima have arrested Carlos “Charlie” Pareja, former Ecuador energy minister. Pareja is the central figure in a corruption scandal at Petroecuador, the government-owned energy company. According to the prosecutor, the scandal involves as many as 80 employees...
President Rafael Correa has rejected criticism from the new president of Ecuador’s Catholic Episcopal Conference who said last week that Correa’s style of governing has created a “badly divided country and a bad taste in people’s mouths.” Monsignor Eugenio Arellano...
Ecuador’s National Assembly begins debate today on significant changes and additions to the country’s health laws. Many of the provisions of the proposed legislation are controversial, legislators say, and have not been discussed in the past. Included in the...
By Larry Luxner Half a century of communist rule in Cuba gave the island’s 11 million inhabitants superb health care and wiped out illiteracy, yet it’s also decimated the private sector and crippled the Cuban economy in the long term. Nicaragua, also ruled for decades...
In its periodic review of the country's human rights record, a United Nations panel gives Ecuador high marks for its record on poverty reduction, handicapped accessibility, expansion of right for women and children, and immigration. But the panel, which included...
The national police are stepping up efforts to catch thieves who prey primarily on tourists in Cuenca’s historic district. They say they are seeing increased instances of scammers using hard-luck stories and distraction techniques to steal money in recent weeks....
Tame Airlines’ new partner will be announced May 22, according to Christian González, Tame general manager. Two commercial airlines are bidding to be majority partners with the struggling government-owned carrier. Citing confidentiality agreements, González refused to...
Thousands of Ecuadorian car buyers had their first look Saturday at the latest models of European cars. They also saw for the first time the impact of the recently signed trade agreement with the European Union on car prices. Prices were 11% to 15% lower on 2017...
By Deke Castleman “It tastes like chicken” is such a common expression that it has almost become a self-fulfilling prophesy: Any uncommon meat is now compared to the bland standard of this particular poultry. Rabbit, quail, ostrich, goose, pigeon, ptarmigan, frog,...
Cuenca city officials will meet with representatives of three airlines next week in hopes of increasing service at Mariscal La Mar airport. According to Mayor Marcelo Cabrera, meetings have been set with Latam Airline, which provides service to Quito, Colombian...
Officials of Ecuador's Social Security (IESS) system were forced to cut short a Friday meeting with foreign residents when some members of the audience became disruptive. The meeting, held at the Cuenca IESS office, had been called to explain a fee increase and...
By Edd and Cynthia Staton We've been here in Cuenca since the middle of January and don't return to the U.S. until the first part of May. That's the longest stretch at home in I don't know how long. It's been a joy to get reacquainted with our hometown and to catch up...
Cuenca’s municipal police, Guardia Ciudadana, say are receiving an increasing number of complaints about young men who offer to wash car windshields at stop lights. The problem, according to Guardia commander Guillermo Cobo, is that there is no city ordinance...
By Margaret Winter Looking for Cuenca's best nightlife? You'll find it at the Jazz Society Cafe. It's a little miracle to find a jazz club of this caliber in the Andes, with world-class performers in a venue that’s got the warm, intimate vibe of an authentic New York...
