Ecuador is in a tough spot. It's now the most violent country in South America. This change didn't happen overnight. It's been a mix of things. First, Colombia's peace deal in 2016 shifted drug trafficking dynamics. Then, Ecuador's location and weak institutions made it a hotspot for gangs. Life in places like Flor de Bastión, a neighborhood in Guayaquil, is tense. ...
Ecuadorians faced a big choice on Sunday. They voted in a referendum. The vote was about two main things. First, allowing foreign countries to set up military bases in Ecuador. Second, starting the process to create a new constitution. Crime has been a big problem in Ecuador. Drug gangs are fighting for control. They target important people like politicians and jour...
Ecuador is facing a tough choice. On Sunday, people will vote on two big issues: letting foreign military bases come back and changing the country's constitution. The main reason? Crime is up, and the government thinks foreign help could make things better. Ecuador used to be safe, but now it's a big spot for drug trafficking. This has made the country less safe and...
Ecuador's prisons are in chaos once more. This time, four inmates lost their lives, and over 30 others were hurt in a recent riot. The trouble started when inmates were being moved to a new high-security prison in another part of the country. This isn't the first time this prison has seen violence. Just a couple of months ago, 14 inmates died there in a fight between...
Ecuador has a new leader. Daniel Noboa won the presidential election. This happened on a Sunday. The National Electoral Council made the announcement. They said Noboa had an unassailable lead. This was with 90% of the votes counted. Noboa's victory was not a surprise. He had won a previous election against the same opponent. That was in a snap election earlier in the...
Ecuador is at a crossroads. The upcoming presidential election is a tight race between two candidates with very different ideas. The main issue? The surge in drug-related violence that has made Ecuador one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America. The economy is in a slump, making it hard to fight this crime wave. Daniel Noboa, the current president, is runn...
Ecuador’s voters have a big decision to make before this election! There will be a runoff on April 13 for the country’s presidency, pitting current president Daniel Noboa against Luísa González. Both of these candidates have managed to beat out fourteen other hopefuls, so it is a huge deal. What’s fascinating is that this is the second time this year the...