· July, 2008

Stories about Ecuador from July, 2008

Ecuador: New Constitution Ready For Vote in Referendum

  28 July 2008

A draft proposal for the new Constitution in Ecuador is ready for approval by a nationwide referendum to be held in September. However, reports of a Constituent Assembly under pressure, a change of assembly president, and questionable legal conditions placed on the text leave some unsure of their vote. In spite of this, local bloggers recommend that everyone read the entire 200-page text before making a decision and that it is important to be a part of the process.

Ecuador: Interest in Literature Continues

  21 July 2008

The ExpoLibro 2008 (Guayaquil Book Fair) recently came to a close, which according to organizers, drew hundreds of thousands of visitors with more than 210 stands. This proves that the reading is not dead, as had been predicted with the arrival of the internet. Interest in literary works is alive in well in Ecuador and during this past week, four authors contributed to the culture and literature of the country.

Ecuador: Learning Kichwa

  17 July 2008

Angel Gualán provides two lessons on his blog for those interested in learning an Ecuadoran indigenous language of Kichwa, which is also spoken by his group the Saraguros.

Japan: View from Ecuador on WaiWai “Child Hunt”

  11 July 2008

WaiWai was a column in Japan's fourth largest newspaper Mainichi, published for years in the English version of their website and featuring some of the most scandalous (and mostly fabricated) articles from Japan's weekly tabloids, translated to English with added “embellishments”. In recent weeks, the story of WaiWai erupted on the Japanese Internet, users reacting to WaiWai's negative depiction of Japan. One Japanese blogger living in Ecuador wrote a blog post expressing outrage at a WaiWai article about Japanese supposedly "hunting" for children in Ecuador.

Ecuador: Government Seizes Companies for Debt Collection

  9 July 2008

The Ecuadoran government seized hundreds of businesses, including three television channels. Much of the media focuses on the fact that that television stations were targeted, however, the government says that it is a preventative decision in order to collect debts. The Treasury Minister resigned because he did not agree with the seizure, and local bloggers provide their thoughts whether the government was justified or whether it hurts the cause of free speech in the country.

Ecuador: LDU Crowned Winners of Libertadores Cup

  6 July 2008

Gabby Corsales celebrates the victory of the Liga Deportiva Universitaria football team in the Libertadores Cup [es], awarded to the best squad in South America and Mexico. LDU became the first side from Ecuador to win the prestigious tournament.

Americas: Region Celebrates Rescue of Betancourt and Other Hostages

  4 July 2008

The entire Latin American region celebrated with the people of Colombia upon hearing the news that ex-Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages were rescued. In the operation named “Jaque,” Betancourt, 3 U.S. citizens and 11 members of the Colombian forces were freed after the rescue attempt. Bloggers from many countries throughout Latin America shared the excitement and wrote their own personal reflections.