The Lobos, a major narco-criminal gang in Ecuador, has splintered, and the fallout is raising concerns about a potential spike in violent crime in Quito. Similar divisions within the gang have already caused deadly violence in other regions like Manabí and Azuay. According to Ecuadorian police, three rival leaders are now vying for control of the capital's drug trade, intensifying the risks of violent confrontations.

Who Are the Key Figures?

The Lobos' internal split has given rise to a faction known as the Lobos Invisibles. The group is reportedly led by three individuals with extensive criminal histories:

- Fabricio Colón Pico (*alias* "El Salvaje"): Recently sentenced for threatening the State Attorney General and her young daughter.

- Elvis Conde (*alias* "Maduro"): Convicted of murdering lawyer Harrison Salcedo and implicated in a prison escape in early 2024.

- Danny Córdova (*alias* "Comandante M" or "Fuerte"): Also a key player in the escalating rivalry.

These individuals are fighting for dominance in Quito’s lucrative drug market, where cocaine and marijuana are the most trafficked substances.

Practical Implications and Actions to Take

The escalating violence could significantly impact safety in Quito, particularly if authorities are unable to contain the gang disputes. To minimize risks:

1. Stay Informed: Monitor news and official safety alerts for updates on high-risk areas.

2. Avoid Certain Neighborhoods: Refrain from visiting areas known for drug activity or violence.

3. Plan Travel Carefully: Consider secure transportation options and avoid traveling alone at night.

Source: La Hora.

The Chinese automotive brand SERES has officially entered the Ecuadorian market as of December 4, 2024. Known for its sporty utility vehicles (SUVs), the company is targeting premium car buyers.

SERES has partnered with Automekano (Grupo Ambacar), a local company that has invested $2.5 million in showrooms, spare parts, and inventory to launch two models:

- SERES 5: Starting at $52,990

- SERES 7: Starting at $66,990

Ecuador is the first country in Latin America where SERES has launched, with a flagship showroom located in the upscale Cumbayá valley, a high-income area near Quito.

A troubling incident in Cuenca highlights the risks of online dating apps like Tinder. A local young man, Pedro Tenorio, shared his experience of being drugged, assaulted, and robbed after meeting someone through the app. His story sheds light on a growing trend involving scopolamine, a powerful drug used to incapacitate victims.

The incident

On November 29, Tenorio arranged to meet a woman he had been chatting with on Tinder. The meeting took place at a mall in Cuenca, but he quickly noticed discrepancies. "Her appearance didn’t match her photos," Tenorio said, admitting he ignored this red flag.

After a brief conversation, the woman insisted they go to a park instead of a restaurant or bar. While there, a man claiming to be her brother arrived in a black car. The pair offered Tenorio a drink, and shortly after consuming it, he lost consciousness.

The aftermath

Tenorio woke up hours later, injured and disoriented. A taxi driver found him walking along a street in Cuenca, bloodied and crying. He had been beaten and robbed of his laptop, phone, wallet, and $500 in cash, including his recent paycheck.

Growing Concerns

This incident isn’t isolated. Similar cases have been reported in Cuenca and other regions. Scopolamine, often referred to as "devil’s breath," is commonly used in such scams in Colombia and is now appearing in Ecuador. Mixed with alcohol, the drug can erase memory and render victims compliant, making them easy targets.

Safety Measures

Authorities and experts urge both locals and tourists to exercise caution when meeting strangers from dating apps:

• Verify profiles carefully: Even verified accounts can be fake due to advanced AI technologies.

• Meet in public places: Avoid isolated locations or private areas.

• Avoid accepting drinks: Only consume drinks you’ve seen prepared.

Tenorio's case has caught the attention of the provincial governor, Santiago Malo, who pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, Tenorio continues to recover from both physical injuries, including a fractured nose, and the emotional toll of the attack.

Source: Primicias.

With the holiday season approaching, many Ecuadorian migrants return home to celebrate Christmas and New Year's with their families. To ensure their and other passengers' safety, the National Police has activated the 'Safe Return' plan, a free service offering secure transit for travelers from airports to their final destinations.

Why the plan is needed

December sees a surge in returning migrants. In December 2023 alone, 138,867 Ecuadorians entered the country via international airports, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). Many travelers bring luggage filled with gifts for loved ones, making them targets for theft. For instance, on the Guayaquil-Cuenca route, incidents of luggage theft were reported, with criminals either unloading bags from vehicles or stopping cars to commit robberies.

How the 'Safe Return' plan works

The program, running for 12 years, provides police escorts for travelers from the airport to their destination. In 2023, over 1,500 people used this service nationwide.

How to request the service

Travelers can access the 'Safe Return' plan in two ways:

1. Call ECU 911: Request assistance upon arrival.

2. Airport Assistance Desks: Request support at designated help desks in airports. The service is available until January 6.

Once the request is made, a police unit, consisting of a patrol car and a motorcycle, will accompany the traveler to their destination.

Additionally, Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport has enhanced security measures, including 24-hour surveillance cameras, armed guards, and additional staff.

Source: Primicias.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has signed an executive decree maintaining the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate at 15% for 2025. This decision continues the increase from the previous standard rate of 12%, initially implemented eight months ago under a law aimed at addressing internal armed conflict and insecurity.

President Noboa, through Executive Decree 470, justified the measure as a necessary step to ensure fiscal sustainability and support public finances amid challenging economic conditions. The Ministry of Finance provided a favorable recommendation for the extension, citing public finance and balance-of-payment needs.

The VAT increase, introduced earlier in 2024, was part of an urgent economic law designed to address the country's internal security issues. According to the decree, maintaining the higher VAT rate is critical for securing government revenues to sustain public finances and manage the ongoing conflict.

Source: Primicias.

The Ecuadorian government has extended the state of exception for 30 more days in six provinces and two cantons. This decision was made by President Daniel Noboa through Executive Decree 469, signed on Monday, December 2, 2024.

The state of exception, declared due to severe internal unrest, includes the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, El Oro, and Orellana, as well as the Metropolitan District of Quito (Pichincha) and the canton of Camilo Ponce Enríquez (Azuay).

This extension follows the conditions set out in the original declaration from October. The government emphasized that the primary goal of the measure is to ensure public order, social peace, and peaceful coexistence.

What This means for you

If you're in one of the affected areas, expect increased military and police patrols. While these measures aim to improve safety, be aware of potential disruptions to daily life, including checkpoints and stricter enforcement of public order regulations.

Source: El Universo.

Over 10,000 cases of the Oropouche virus (OROV) have been reported globally in 2024, affecting countries like Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as parts of Europe. Ecuador has documented two cases, both of which resulted in full recovery.

Oropouche is transmitted primarily through the bite of the biting midge Culicoides paraensis and occasionally by the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, photophobia, and muscle/joint pain, typically resolving within 2-3 weeks. Severe cases may lead to meningitis or encephalitis.

Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments, and the virus can have a fatality rate of up to 88%.

Preventive measures include:

• Avoiding areas with high insect activity.

• Wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents.

• Removing stagnant water to reduce breeding grounds.

You are advised to follow these precautions to lower your risk of infection.

The runway of Cuenca's Mariscal La Mar Airport will undergo maintenance, requiring temporary closures on weekends. The Cuenca Airport Corporation (CORPAC) has scheduled the works to minimize disruptions.

The first closure will take place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, with subsequent closures as follows:

December 6 to December 8, 2024

December 13 to December 15, 2024

December 20 to December 22, 2024

December 27 to December 29, 2024

January 1 to January 5, 2025

January 10 to January 12, 2025

January 17 to January 19, 2025

January 24 to January 26, 2025

Closure Hours:

Fridays at 11:00 PM

Reopening on Sundays at 6:00 PM

CORPAC has coordinated these dates with airlines to avoid inconveniences for flights and passengers.

Demonstrations against the government of Daniel Noboa took place on Friday in several Ecuadorian cities in rejection of prolonged blackouts, insecurity, criminal violence and the ongoing economic crisis, which protesters attribute to the current administration. 

The president has declared a new 60-days state of exception in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Orellana, Santa Elena, the Quito Distrito Metropolitanan District, and the canton of Camilo Ponce Enríquez because of “conmoción interna” and “conflicto armado interno”.

The state of exception includes a curfew from 10 pm until 5 am in the cantons of Camilo Ponce Enríquez, Durán, Balao,

Babahoyo, Buena Fé, Quevedo, Pueblo Viejo, Vinces, Valencia, Ventanas, Mocache, Urdaneta, Baba, Palenque, Quinsaloma, Montalvo, La Joya De Los Sachas, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, Loreto, and the parish of Tenguel in the province of Guayas.

See Presidential Decree 2024/410 for the whole text: this link.

The legendary British musician, Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known as Sting, will bring his "Sting 3.0" tour to Cuenca in early 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about the concert date, ticket presale, and prices.

Concert Date

Sting will perform at Cuenca's Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium on February 28, 2025. Joining him on stage will be Dominic Miller on guitar and Chris Maas on drums. The event is being organized by Feel The Club.

Ticket Presale and Purchase Details

- Fan Club Presale: September 24–25 for registered members on Sting’s official website.

- Banco del Austro Cardholders: September 26–29, available for those using Banco del Austro credit and debit cards.

- General Sale: Starts on September 30 for the public, with all payment methods accepted.

Where to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be purchased on the Feel The Tickets website or at the following locations:

- Quito: CCI, Scala, Condado Shopping

- Guayaquil: CC Alhambra

- Cuenca: Serrano Aguilar Stadium box office, Mall del Río, Milenium Plaza

Ticket Prices

Feel The Club has announced the following ticket prices (excluding VAT) for the concert in Cuenca:

- Roxanne Box: $185

- Gold Platinum: $155

- Golden: $125

- Box: $100

- Fan Zone: $85

- Grandstand: $60

- Preference: $45

- General: $35

Sting: A Music Legend

Sting began his career in 1976 as the bassist for The Police and later transitioned into a successful solo career in 1981. Now 72 years old, he has sold over 100 million records, won 17 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and has been nominated for four Oscars. He also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000.

The "Sting 3.0" tour will visit several other Latin American cities, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, Mexico City, and Santo Domingo.

Don't miss this chance to see Sting live in Cuenca!

Ecuador faced widespread confusion and frustration on Monday, September 23, 2024, as scheduled power outages were delayed, leaving citizens in the dark—literally and figuratively.

What Happened?

While electric companies had initially announced that the outages would start at 6:00 a.m., blackouts didn't begin until after 8:00 a.m. in many areas, including major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. The government of President Daniel Noboa had warned that power outages would last from Monday, September 23 to Sunday, September 29, due to Ecuador's ongoing electricity crisis.

Late Start Causes Confusion

Schedules for the blackouts were released around midnight on Sunday, but when the power didn't cut off as expected early Monday morning, citizens took to social media to express their confusion and dissatisfaction. The first outages were supposed to begin at 6:00 a.m., but many didn’t experience blackouts until hours later.

Reasons for the Delay

Centrosur, the electric company that serves the Austro region, explained that the delays were due to improved energy conditions. They stated that the National Electricity Operator Cenace ordered outages to start at 7:00 a.m. instead of the originally planned time.

According to Centrosur, the disconnections are being executed under Cenace's orders, and while the first phase of outages was delayed, the rest of the day’s schedule remained in effect unless Cenace issued further changes.

Government Response

Inés Manzano, Ecuador's Minister of Environment and the head of the National Emergency Operations Committee (COE), took responsibility for the late release of the outage schedules. In an interview with Ecuavisa, she apologized, saying, "I will publicly apologize for releasing the information so late. I take responsibility for that."

Manzano explained that the delay in announcing the schedules led to electric distributors postponing the start of the blackouts on Monday morning.

Blackouts Begin

Despite the delays, reports began coming in from citizens after 8:00 a.m. that power outages had started across several cities, with disruptions continuing as the day progressed.

As the outages continue for the rest of the week, citizens are advised to keep an eye on updated schedules and announcements from their local electric companies.

Ecuador is bracing for more intense blackouts in October as the country faces a worsening energy crisis. The combination of drought conditions affecting hydroelectric plants and Colombia cutting its electricity exports is putting further strain on Ecuador's power supply.

Hydroelectric Dependency

Ecuador relies on hydroelectric plants for 70% of its electricity, according to Diego Gordón, Executive Director of Britcham UIO. However, these plants are heavily dependent on rainfall to maintain river flows. The country is now experiencing its worst dry season in 61 years, with river levels, particularly in Cuenca, dangerously low. The situation is dire, as the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, and Tarqui rivers have become so shallow that people can walk across them.

The Mazar dam, Ecuador’s largest reservoir, is nearing its minimum operational level. As of September 18, it was just six meters above that threshold, and if it drops further, the Mazar, Molino, and Sopladora hydroelectric plants—which generate 38% of the country's electricity—will be forced to shut down.

Early Dry Season

Energy expert Ricardo Buitrón notes that while the dry season typically begins in October, it started early this year in August. The Mazar dam is designed to accumulate water during the rainy season to supply power during the dry months, but with reduced rainfall, this strategy is now at risk. If Mazar’s water levels continue to fall, the energy shortfall will worsen, leading to more frequent and severe blackouts.

Cloud Seeding Efforts

In an effort to induce rain, the government has considered cloud seeding, a technique that involves releasing silver iodide into clouds to stimulate precipitation. However, Fernando Salinas, another energy analyst, points out that this method requires cloud cover, which has been limited due to high temperatures and intense UV radiation.

Colombia Reducing Energy Exports

To make up for the domestic energy shortfall, Ecuador has been importing electricity from Colombia, which can supply up to 450 megawatts. However, Colombia has also been affected by drought and energy constraints, reducing its exports to as low as 369 megawatts. If Colombia continues to limit its energy supply to Ecuador, the power crisis will deepen.

Energy Minister Antonio Goncalves warned that the government’s contingency measures will not fully come into effect until November and December, when additional barges and land-based generators are expected to become operational.

Short-Term Solutions

The government has declared an emergency and contracted 928 megawatts of additional energy, including 340 megawatts from barges and 588 megawatts from land-based generators. One barge is already supplying 100 megawatts, and efforts are underway to increase output at Termogas Machala, boosting production from 991 megawatts to 1,591 megawatts. Negotiations with private companies to use their energy generation facilities are also ongoing.

Despite these efforts, Ecuador faces a critical period in October, with more frequent and longer-lasting blackouts likely if rain doesn’t come and Colombia further limits its energy exports.

Ecuador will experience a nationwide power outage from 10:00 PM on September 18 to 6:00 AM on September 19, 2024, due to maintenance on four key substations. This preventive measure aims to address the country's ongoing energy crisis, with work being done on primary equipment and transformers in locations such as Macas, Santa Elena, Milagro, and Molino.

The e-commerce platform Temu offers products at incredibly low prices, positioning itself as a strong competitor to Shein. Temu's orders are now directly available in Ecuador.

If you've been on social media recently, you've likely encountered ads for Temu, the Chinese e-commerce app that has become a major player in Latin America. Owned by PDD Holdings, which also owns Pinduoduo, Temu was launched in 2022 and has expanded across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, offering ultra-cheap products shipped from China.

Huge Discounts

Like its counterpart Pinduoduo in China, Temu attracts customers with deep discounts and a wide range of products. Upon first opening the app, users are offered a 90% discount on an item, with most products marked down by over 50%. It also offers "free gifts" and "giveaways." Categories include home goods, clothing, beauty, technology, and more.

Temu explains that its low prices come from eliminating middlemen and shipping directly from factories to consumers. With the rise of Chinese e-commerce, courier shipments to Ecuador under the '4x4' service (allowing packages under 4kg and $400) have increased significantly, with 2023 imports reaching $327.7 million.

How to Order from Temu in Ecuador

Ecuadorian customers can place orders on Temu, pay with international cards or PayPal, and receive their packages through courier services like Crossborderly and Skypostal. These logistics partners collaborate with local couriers such as Grupo Tramaco, Geomil, and Servientrega for final delivery.

Packages are typically collected from courier offices depending on your city, though Tramaco and Servientrega offer home delivery in certain cases. Delivery usually takes 20 to 30 days, though some delays have been reported. Customers generally do not incur additional shipping costs.