Ecuador news, written for expats

Two of Cuenca canton's four community potable water systems, Baños and Nero, are experiencing low pressure and service cuts due to the ongoing dry season. These scheduled suspensions affect approximately 17,000 users in rural areas, prompting calls for responsible water use.

The Cuenca Cantonal Council is set to discuss an ordinance on September 24, 2026, aimed at prohibiting and sanctioning the activity of "vigilantes seguros." This comes as EMOV EP has conducted recent traffic operations, impounding 29 motorcycles and issuing numerous citations for various infractions in and around Cuenca.

Cuenca recently conducted a major simulation involving emergency services and the public to evaluate response capabilities for earthquakes and the El Niño phenomenon. This local effort is part of a broader regional and national push to enhance disaster readiness, though some provincial procurement processes face delays.

Azuay's provincial prosecutor has requested a hearing to formulate charges for alleged illicit enrichment against Cuenca's suspended mayor, Cristian Zamora. Zamora, currently in Mexico for medical attention, denies the allegations, stating his departure is unrelated to the investigation and that observed transactions are justified.

The Cámara de la Construcción de Cuenca will host the Inmo Build fair on September 26 and 27, 2026, at Quinta Lucrecia. This event aims to connect buyers and investors with real estate projects, construction companies, financial entities, and material suppliers, highlighting Cuenca's growing real estate sector.

Over the past weekend and into Monday, more than a dozen forest fires have destroyed significant vegetation across Cuenca and the wider Azuay province. Firefighters, supported by military personnel, are battling blazes in multiple sectors, with strong winds and difficult terrain complicating efforts. Authorities emphasize that most fires are provoked and constitute a crime.