Stories about Ecuador from December, 2008
Burning the Year Away: New Year Traditions
In many South American countries, it has become a tradition to burn human shaped representations of the previous year, as a way to get rid of everything bad that the year brought, and leave way for the new. The following videos show some of these traditions and some of the controversy soome of them have sparked.
Ecuador: Public Spending by Correa Administration
Juan Montalvo of Ecuador Sin Censura [es] criticizes the public spending of the Rafael Correa government and cites financial figures comparing previous administrations.
Global Health: 2008 Blogs In Review
Bloggers in 2008 showed all the ways in which global health is interconnected with other issues, by covering health stories that touched on everything from poverty and women's rights to the environment and economics. They shared stories such as the prohibition of cannabis in Japan, how ads for children's food...
Americas: A Look Back at 2008
In 2008, the Latin American team from Global Voices helped add context and helped highlight voices of bloggers that wrote about the numerous news stories that took place across the region. From the election of an ex-bishop in Paraguay to the march against the FARC in Colombia, bloggers provided their thoughts on natural disasters, protests, strikes, and important events across the Americas.
Ecuador: The Passing of Ex-President León Febres Cordero
Ecuador's former President León Febres Cordero passed away this week and many of the country's bloggers are providing thoughts about his legacy. Some are giving him more credit for his work as Mayor of the booming city of Guayaquil, but others think that his works as President was far from praiseworthy.
Ecuador: Two Years After Correa's Meeting With Stallman
It's been two years since Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa personally met with Richard Stallman [es], free software activist. Rafael Bonifaz reflects back on the meeting and what has happened since.
Ecuador: Default on External Debt
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa recently announced that his country will not repay back its remaining external debt. Citing the economic crisis, Correa calls the debt, “immoral and illegitimate” and he echoes the sentiments of ordinary Ecuadorans who say that they cannot pay anymore. Bloggers wonder whether the report that supported this decision was too partisan and what it might mean for the country's future.
Ecuador: Correa's Visit to Iran Characterized with Changes in Schedule
Ecuador President Rafael Correa recently visited Iran, and according to La Voz de Guamote [es] the visit was characterized by several changes in schedule.
Ecuador: Open Software Conference and Local Programs
Café de Chucho [es] recently enjoyed an Open Software conference at the National University of Loja in Ecuador and was pleased to learn about ELASTIX, an open sourced IP communications program created by a local company.
Ecuador: New Minimum Wage in January 2009
The government of Ecuador will announce the newest minimum wage starting in January 2009, and Cambiemos Ecuador [es] writes about some of the challenges to present a higher wage for citizens.
