Transcription
Here we begin, friends. This weekend, gas stations in Quito reported fuel shortages, in this case of Extra and S. Although the Agency for Regulation and Control of Hydrocarbons spoke of logistical delays, the distributors' guild rather acknowledges structural failures in the morning, afternoon, or night. Since Friday, this is how several gas stations in Quito have looked. Long lines, rationing, and even cones warning of the lack of fuel at the stations. Amidst the confusion, drivers sought answers to understand this shortage, as at this moment they do not have Extra gasoline. In fact, the Agency for Regulation and Control of Hydrocarbons acknowledged that there were delays in the transportation process of derivative products, and although since Friday it offered to activate protocols or corrective measures to speed up dispatch, the truth is that drivers themselves reported until Sunday afternoon the sale of only five, 10, or $ of Extra or S, and even other gas stations did not serve at all. We wanted to fill the car completely and they told us they couldn't sell us more than $. There is no gasoline anywhere. I'm coming from Cumbayá looking for gasoline, Tumbaco, some places have no gasoline and no one is attending. They are standing there, but they are doing nothing. And although the government only talks about delays, the National Chamber of Petroleum Derivatives Distributors of Ecuador points out that the problem is deeper, as today Ecuador depends 90% on the import of derivatives, since the Pacific refinery in Esmeraldas does not operate at full capacity. This is a structural problem because every 6 months we have fires. They did the minimum repairs, I understand, and a month ago it started operating, but mainly producing asphalts and jet fuel, which is airplane fuel. But in the case of derivatives, we know that the steam system, which is used for the refining of derivatives, is highly vulnerable. And it also points to a logistical problem that is not new, of ordering enough in a timely manner and perhaps a little more than enough, which is why they are asking for a public-private alliance so that in this oil-producing country, existing refineries can be repowered with cutting-edge technology, with highly qualified personnel, top-tier scientists, and investment can be made in the Esmeraldas refinery, it can be conditioned, and also investment can be made in another refinery. Meanwhile, it is expected that fuel will reach the stations as soon as possible, as Guayas also reported shortages. For now, Ecuadorians will pay more for Extra and diesel starting Tuesday, as we are governed by the international band system, these derivatives may increase by up to 15 cents due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf. In Quito, Brigit Mancheno, Teleamazonas. The compensation of up to 180 kWh in electricity consumption for April announced by President Daniel Novoa will be reflected in the bills that will be issued by the last two weeks of May. The measure will benefit more than 1 million users. The provision was made official through executive decree 379, signed by President Daniel Noboa on May 9. The national government ordered an economic compensation on electricity bills for residential users affected by the increase in energy consumption during the heatwave registered in April. According to the document, the compensation will apply to bills issued during May and will cover up to 180 kW per household, equivalent to the average consumption of an Ecuadorian family. In practice, if a household consumed up to that limit during April, it will receive the compensation announced by the executive. But if consumption was higher, the user will only have to pay the excess. The compensation reaches residential customers of the National Electricity Corporation in Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Santa Elena, and El Oro, as well as users of the Quito electric company in the metropolitan district of Quito. According to the official statement in SENEL, the economic relief will benefit approximately 1 million users with an estimated coverage of 19,000. In Quito, nearly 119,000 users will access the benefit for an approximate amount of 3 million. In total, the government calculates a compensation of close to 22,000,000 for more than 1,100,000 affected users. Authorities also clarified that some citizens may receive bills on close dates in the coming weeks. They explained that this does not correspond to double billing, but to charges for different consumption periods. The bill, which will arrive by the end of May, will correspond to April's consumption and will include the compensation ordered by the government, while the next bill, scheduled for June, will reflect May's consumption. Additionally, distribution companies will hold informational sessions to explain how the benefit will be applied and to resolve billing-related queries. Catalina García, Teleamazonas. The Citizen Selection Commission for the Contest to Designate the State Attorney General published the final report with the merit qualifications of the 28 applicants. National Court of Justice Judge Daniela Camacho heads the list, but other aspirants have already expressed their reservations. National Court of Justice Judge Daniela Camacho, Provincial Court Judge of Pichincha Inés Maritza Romero, and acting Attorney General Carlos Alarcón obtained the best merit qualifications in the contest for the designation of the State Attorney General. The Citizen Selection Commission approved the qualification report of the 28 applicants, taking into account their professional and academic background and their judicial experience. It is important to highlight that the report we have in our hands today is the faithful result of the methodology for the qualification of merits and affirmative action established in article 39 of the regulation governing the commissions. In particular, I want to highlight the fulfillment of numeral two, which stipulated that each of us, in a technical and detailed manner, should assume the analysis of the drawn files, always maintaining the conduct of each of us with rectitude, efficiency, effectiveness, probity, responsibility, ethics, impartiality, and transparency. None of the applicants reached the maximum score of 50 points. Camacho obtained 48, Romero 46.75, and Alarcón 46.5. After the official notification of the results, applicants will have a period of 3 days to present reconsiderations, but some have already expressed their disagreement this weekend, including former Minister of Government of Daniel Novoa, José de la Gasca, who ranked seventh with 41 points. In this statement, he referred to the work done by the commission. He presented a superfluous merit report with a score table that looks more like it was made at random or, worse, under orders. That report does not clear up doubts, it deepens them. That report, far from strengthening confidence in the contest, compromises its credibility and outcome. And he advanced that his challenge will not only be a mere formality, but that he will demand that each qualification be demonstrated. In any case, once this stage is overcome, the remaining 50 points of the contest will be defined in the knowledge test and in the resolution of a practical case. Belén Merizalde, Teleamazonas. The deadline for Ecuador and Colombia to reciprocally withdraw the security tax and import tariffs expires on May 21. Border merchant guilds are asking the governments of both countries for an urgent response, as the economic impacts are very severe. Ecuador and Colombia have less than two weeks to withdraw the tariffs imposed since January. This was ordered by the Andean Community of Nations, an international organization that seeks to mediate this impasse between the two nations and which gave a deadline of 10 days for both countries to set aside the economic measures adopted in the last almost 4 months. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has already spoken out and said that he has no problem withdrawing tariffs on Ecuadorian products in the same way and chronology as they were imposed. That is, he does not speak of an immediate response. Meanwhile, on the Ecuadorian side, the last measure announced was that starting June 1 of this year, the security tax to Colombia will go from 100% to 75%. Productive guilds are asking for urgent responses, as, for example, the rice sector has lost more than $10,000 solely for not being able to export to the neighboring country. And this is a result of Ecuador not being able to export about 60,000 tons, which it had been doing normally to the only client we have for exporting our surplus rice, which is the neighboring country of Colombia. In fact, the CAN's economic analysis assures that products such as electrical equipment, polymers, petroleum derivatives, and more that entered Colombia from Ecuador through San Miguel decreased by 43%. And in the case of imports to Ecuador, the story is similar. Industries such as, for example, tires in Cuenca, rubber in Ambato, palm oil manufacturing in Los Ríos and Esmeraldas. That is, you had accumulated trade with Colombia of about 2,700 million dollars. If you calculate that over a quarter, that is, if you divide it by three, you will realize that it is around 1,000 million dollars in trade that was restricted in these first 4 months of the year. But add to that informal trade, employment, transporters. But what happens if neither country complies with the deadline? They will be subject to lawsuits in the Andean Tribunal, which is paradoxically in Quito. So, what will happen there is that they will be flooded with lawsuits for having failed to comply with a mandate from the central body, which is the Andean Community of Nations. Therefore, productive guilds from both nations are awaiting responses. They ask that the governments of Ecuador and Colombia step aside and withdraw the tariffs, as the deadline granted by CAN expires next Thursday, May 21. In Quito, Brigit Mancheno, Teleamazonas. The Ministries of the Interior and Defense presented the balance of this first week of operations within the curfew that is in effect in nine provinces and three cantons of the country. There are a total of 2,253 detainees in the various operations carried out nationwide. Yasmín Solís has the details for us at this hour from Guayaquil. Yasmín, go ahead. Good evening, Belén. Esteemed viewers, yes, one week of intense operations by the National Police and the Armed Forces in these nine provinces and four cantons. Here in Zone 8, more than 30 people have been arrested for various crimes. We have prepared a report with all the details. Let's see. The first 7 days of the curfew have already resulted in a significant figure. 2,253 detainees from police and military operations in nine provinces and four cantons of the country. The most relevant is that 412 people are linked to organized crime groups called GDOs. In the operations, 271 firearms, 373 ammunition, 355 vehicles seized and recovered, as well as 442 motorcycles seized and recovered, 1.7 tons of drugs seized, and 11 explosives were confiscated. The operations have consisted of the seizure of weapons, drugs, destruction of clandestine airstrips, arrests for not complying with the curfew, and for being related to crimes. In Zone 8 alone, which comprises Guayaquil, Durán, and San Borondón, more than 30 people were arrested. Pablo Davi, the Commander General of the National Police indicated that among the detainees in Zone 8 are people linked to robberies of economic units, possession of weapons, and extortion. Specifically here in Zone 8, we have intervened in the 12 districts with the objective of weakening the criminal structures of organized crime, specifically attacking their economies and criminal logistics. We carried out approximately 61 interventions. He added that these individuals would be linked to organized crime groups GDOs such as Chone Killer, Los Lobos, Lagartos, Águilas, and Choneros. He requested that citizens continue to report criminal acts or irregularities in their sector anonymously so that the police can intervene in these areas. Where absolute reservation and confidentiality of the information gathered through this system is maintained. Photographs, videos, and reports in which all citizens can log in from the comfort of their homes. In the coming hours, interventions will resume at strategic points to continue dismantling criminal structures in these provinces and cantons. And so we remind citizens that these operations will continue, controls will continue for another week so that they are aware of all these measures that will be developed both in Zone 8 and in other provinces of the country. This is the information I have at the moment. Belén, you have more in the studio. Good evening to all. Thank you, Yasmín. Good evening to you too. And a multiple homicide alarmed this afternoon in the center of Guayaquil. Three people were murdered inside a vehicle and two were injured. How many dead are there here? They were following them. Hitmen took advantage of the high-end vehicle, where their victims were, stopping at a red light on Esmeraldas and Pedro Pablo Gómez streets in the center of Guayaquil to shoot. It was a brutal attack. More than 50 shots that impacted and penetrated the security of this vehicle. This caused two men and one woman to die inside this vehicle. The police identified the victims as Carlos Arturo Carrillo Mora, Darlién Nicole Agracés Camejo, and Giovanni Muñoz Yunda. That wasn't all. Inside the vehicle, another woman was also injured and was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. There was also a collateral injury in this attack, a man who was crossing that corner when the shooting started. I crossed there to buy meat because my girlfriend told me to buy meat. For some reason we crossed. Otherwise, I think something might have happened to me too because of stray bullets. Yes. At the exact moment we crossed and that's when they carried out the attack. Witnesses told the National Police that they saw several armed subjects traveling in a Ford vehicle, as well as two motorcyclists. With this multiple homicide, there are now 965 violent deaths so far in 2026 in Guayaquil, Durán, and San Borondón. Another similar case was reported in the Nueva Prosperina sector in the northwest of Guayaquil, when hitmen attacked five people who were in a black vehicle. According to the police report, two died and three were injured. They were taken to health centers to receive medical assistance. In addition to this violent incident, another armed attack was reported in Bastión Popular in the north of Guayaquil, where subjects shot at a van driver. National Police personnel are gathering more information on these new armed attacks for the respective investigations. Yasmín Solís, Teleamazonas. Get down, get down, guys. Down, down. Also, the province of El Oro registered a series of violent incidents in the last few hours, including murders and armed attacks in different cantons. In Machala, a triple homicide occurred on Sunday afternoon. Three people were attacked while having lunch at a ceviche restaurant located in the city center. Armed subjects entered the premises and shot directly at the victims. The National Police cordoned off the area and began the corresponding investigations. They are workers from the place, and there is also a person identified as a user, probably. He was at the cashier at the moment the perpetrator arrived and it seems he could also be a collateral victim of this regrettable event. In the canton of Santa Rosa, the police carried out raids in the Las Palmeras neighborhood, where two houses allegedly used for micro-trafficking activities were intervened. Three, two, one. During the operation, three citizens were arrested, identified as alleged members of the Los Lobos criminal group. In the properties, more than 1000 envelopes with suspected cocaine, doses of marijuana, cash, and several mobile phones were found. Investigations indicate that this organization had been terrorizing the residents of the sector. The operation was carried out as part of control actions deployed in the province due to the increase in violent incidents. Violence also hit Machala. Henry Gabriel Ramírez Suárez, a 29-year-old tattoo artist, was shot dead in broad daylight in the south of the city. Witnesses indicated that armed subjects intercepted him and shot directly at him. He is identified, he is a person who had prior records for robbery and illicit association, who had been in a detention center. However, at the moment he does not have an arrest warrant or anything like that. Rather, he had already served his sentence. The victim died at the scene. Hours later, another armed attack left a new fatality in the province, Remigio Urbano Hamán Machuca, a military man in passive service, was murdered while traveling on the Bella María road. According to initial reports, armed men on motorcycles shot repeatedly at the vehicle. The driver tried to escape but lost control of the truck and ended up crashing into a banana plantation. Two women who accompanied him were injured and were taken to a health facility. Authorities collected ballistic evidence and began investigations to determine possible responsibilities. Camila Guevara, Teleamazonas. Three members of the AK47 criminal group, the armed wing of the Choneros, were killed in the canton of Montalvo, province of Los Ríos. Members of the army carried out an operation called "Lethal Impact" in the Río Chico sector. There they detected the presence of armed men who, upon noticing the presence of the uniformed officers, opened fire against them. As a result of the exchange of fire, three died and one managed to escape via the river. According to the authorities, these individuals were involved in kidnapping, extortion, contract killing, and drug trafficking. And the National Police rescued two citizens who were victims of extortionate kidnapping. The victims were intercepted on May 7 when they were traveling from Puerto Cayo to Manta and remained in captivity in a property in the province of Manabí. The kidnappers unlocked their cell phones and made transfers for approximately $5,000, but they also demanded $40,000 from their families for their release. Following intelligence work, UNA located the place and carried out the intervention that led to their rescue. The evacuation of the cruise ship MB Hondus, affected by a hantavirus outbreak off Tenerife, continues with 94 people already repatriated. Authorities and the WHO assure that the process is proceeding normally and under strict sanitary control. The evacuation of the cruise ship Bihondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak off Tenerife, progressed progressively under a broad international sanitary operation. In total, 94 passengers and crew members of 19 nationalities have already been repatriated from the Spanish island in a coordination involving several countries. The transfers have been carried out on flights organized by nationality. 14 people were sent to Madrid, five to France, four to Canada, 26 to the Netherlands, 22 to the United Kingdom, as well as smaller groups to Ireland and Turkey. Departures to other European destinations were also confirmed, while the last planned flights will be to the United States and Australia. This can bring risks, but of course, we do not force them, we only propose. The Director of the World Health Organization highlighted the cooperation between countries during the emergency and reiterated that the health risk remains under control despite active health surveillance. At the port of Granadilla de Abona, the Spanish Minister of Health, Mónica García, confirmed that the operation proceeded with complete normality, emphasizing the correct coordination of the health and logistics teams. The operation has proceeded with complete normality and complete safety. The minister explained that the disembarkations were carried out without incident and that the passengers continue under medical follow-up or quarantine according to their country of destination. Authorities anticipate that the cruise ship will set sail in the coming days for the Netherlands with the rest of the crew, thus concluding the international evacuation operation. Estefanía Vaca Teleamazonas. minutes. We continue reviewing more news. Local businesses and restaurants registered high demand during the Mother's Day celebration in various cities of the country. Thousands of families mobilized from early hours to buy gifts for the queen of the home. The Mother's Day celebration generated intense commercial activity nationwide. In cities like Guayaquil and Quito, high foot traffic was registered in shopping centers, markets, restaurants, and high-traffic areas since the morning. Families took advantage of the date to go out to buy gifts and share outside the home. Clothing stores, perfume shops, flower shops, and appliance stores reported high demand in various parts of the country. On her day, we have to give her good flowers, good gifts for her, because the day she leaves us, she won't smell or see the flowers. I imagine it gets much better in the afternoon because imagine, there are people who leave things at the last minute or visit their mothers at the end of the afternoon. Dozens of establishments registered full reservations from early on and long lines of families waiting for a table. The celebration moved mainly to family gathering spaces during the day. In the capital, there was also high activity in shopping centers and gastronomic spaces. Restaurants, cafes, and entertainment-related businesses prepared promotions and family shows to attract visitors throughout the weekend. Thank God we have a wide clientele, today we are full. We have the promotion of the picanha roast, lamb. I have dresses, shorts, I was seeing all the suits, shorts, I have everything on promotion for Mother's Day. Curfew restrictions modified part of the usual programming for this date. Some musical activities and events planned for the evening were moved to earlier times. Nevertheless, commercial and gastronomic activity remained active throughout the day. Camila Guevara, Teleamazonas. And more than 24,000 tons of flowers left Quito for Mother's Day, the highest figure registered for this season in Ecuador. The boom in exports turned the country into one of the main air cargo hubs in the region. Ecuadorian roses once again broke records in the international market. Nearly 24,800 tons of flowers left Quito airport alone. The figure represents a 16% growth compared to the same period last year. The increase confirms that this date remains one of the most important for the Ecuadorian floral industry, which is only surpassed by the Valentine's Day season. Every year we always make forecasts regarding peak seasons in terms of cargo. And for this year, for Mother's Day, we already had a forecast that it could be higher than last year's, and of course, this was evidenced day by day as the season progressed. In April and May, farms increase production, packing plants operate extended shifts, and airlines reinforce cargo flights to the United States and Europe. Miami continues to be the main international distribution point. This year, the Mother's Day season started on April 16 and ended on May 6. It was a 21-day season. One airline reported a historic growth of 55% in the transport of Ecuadorian flowers. It moved more than 4,800 tons and tripled its weekly operations during the season. The rose continues to lead the country's shipments by a wide margin. It represents about 73% of floral exports thanks to its size, longevity, and quality recognized in international markets. Red, pink, and pastel shades were the most requested varieties for this date. Floriculture generates around 120,000 direct jobs in provinces such as Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Imbabura. The majority of workers are women involved in cultivation, sorting, and packing. Once again, the Mother's Day season marked record figures for Ecuadorian floriculture; the increase in exports and high international demand consolidate Ecuador as one of the main floral references in the global market. Camila Guevara, Teleamazonas. 11 medical students from the Central University of Ecuador in Quito are accused of alleged academic fraud after being found with technological devices while taking a pharmacology exam. Professors warn of possible slander against them. These are the images that generated controversy at the Central University of Ecuador in Quito. Cell phones, microphones, and cables hidden under the clothes of medical students who allegedly used them to commit alleged academic fraud during a pharmacology recovery exam. According to the internal report of 16 pages prepared by the professors of the subject, the incident occurred on April 15 during an evaluation applied with the so-called carousel method, a system of questions by stations and controlled times. The document details that the alert began when a student from higher levels reported people who allegedly transmitted answers from outside the building via electronic devices. After a review, the professors claim to have found cell phones attached to the body, microphones, and active real-time calls, as well as WhatsApp group chats. The faculty maintains that after detecting the first cases, controls were reinforced and new inspections were carried out in the waiting and examination rooms. In total, 11 students were identified in flagrante delicto and received a grade of zero. In the report, the professors also warn of possible slander and report having received threats and pressure from relatives of students who failed the subject, for which they requested institutional support and the opening of disciplinary proceedings. Regarding the matter, authorities from this institution will make a statement on Monday in Quito, Brigit Mancheno, Teleamazonas. This Monday at 8:30 AM, the trial hearing for the Sinoidro case will be installed at the National Court of Justice, in which former president Lenín Moreno is being prosecuted for his alleged participation in the crime of bribery for allegedly having received bribes when he was vice president of Rafael Correa. The Prosecutor's Office maintains that the irregular payments from the Chinese company Sinoidro, through intermediaries, would have exceeded 76 million dollars during the awarding and execution process of the Coca Codo Sinclair project, initiated in 2009. For this case, Moreno, his wife, and 21 other people were indicted. And pay attention because the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport reported that from Monday, May 11 to Sunday, May 17, circulation on the Balbanera Payatanga Cumandá road will be controlled in nine sections from 6 AM to 6 PM. Only one lane will be enabled, alternating direction every 30 minutes. This is after the landslide that occurred last Thursday. Machinery continues to work in that area. M.