My thoughts on the crisis in Ecuador one week later…
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- Опубликовано: 12 дек 2024
- Ecuador is going through a crisis and these are some of my thoughts and updates one week later.
#Ecuador #News #Safety
Channels to check:
-Don Shader: / @donshader
-Living Loving Abroad: / @livinglovingabroad
-Luis of Ecuador: / @luisofecuador
-Alveys en Ecuador: / @alveys_en_ecuador
-JoLi Farms: / @jolifarms-ecuador
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From Ecuador, with love, let’s hope for a better tomorrow 🇪🇨
I have been a victim of a violent attack (serial killer in fact) in the US in a small town in the midwest at Noon. It was 33 years ago - since then I personally don't believe I can ever feel 100% safe. But I'd rather be in Ecuador than the states for my last years on earth because of its beautiful people, flora and fauna and no more winters. I feel if it's your time to go, it's your time. I appreciate GM Ace's videos - I'm not an ostrich but I'm not staying in my house with the doors locked either. Life is to be lived.
Thank you for sharing this with us and unfortunate that this happened to you. My experience with a robbery was nowhere near as severe but it definitely woke me up to the reality that you have to accept while you’re here and made me much more aware when going out in general. Regardless of what I say, you gotta live your life your way, that’s for sure.
God the Lord, bless you and your entire family! Be safe and protected by Him!
I lived in Esmeraldas for a year as an exchange student. So sorry to see that Esmeraldas is now considered unsafe. I absolutely LOVED my time in Esmeraldas and I treasure those memories. Abrazos de Canada!
Thanks Ace for keeping us updated on the situation in Ecuador🙏 keep up the good work👍 that was a great analysis!!!!💯🇪🇨
That was very well put, Ace. My hope is that the state of emergency is not a hoax and that the living conditions for the citizens will improve significantly. It’s my third day in Mindo. People here are aware of the political situation but are going about their lives as if nothing is occurring. Wisely, they know that they can only control what is before them.
IT WAS, IN FACT, A FALSE FLAG ATTACK.
I’m glad everything’s going well in Mindo. Everything feels more normal as the days passing with the bonus of having military presence on the streets which brings an extra level of peace at least for me and some friends I’ve talked to since there’s an added sense of security especially with how we’ve seen the military actually taking action against criminals. Btw, how are things in Mindo these days if you’re still there?
@@GMAceM I left Mindo yesterday morning at 6:30 am and arrived in Chugchilan in the afternoon. I did observe that there were more police present at each metro stop (having ridden from Labrador to Quitumbe). I also saw a military convoy south of Quito while riding the bus to latagunda. Here in very small and isolated Chugchilan, life goes on. The owners of my hostel are very aware of the situation but have long daily chores to get done to survive. Sadly, the politicians practically destroyed their hostel business with 🦠 restrictions and business has not returned to pre-covid levels.
I took a bus to quilotoa today. This countryside is quite dramatic; the twist and turns of the road and significant drop offs. Wow! The bus drivers earn every cent of their pay. The hiking trail down to the lake was largely empty. But, it was well worth the effort. It is a beautiful natural wonder. I surrendered and rode a horse back up to the top 🤣
I really appreciate your channel for telling all sides. Very intelligent and accurate. I hope you are enjoying the equipment and that it's making recording easier for you. Blessings.
FEELING safe or unsafe is irrelevant. Everybody I know who has been robbed felt safe UNTIL they were robbed.
This!
"You don't know when the time of lack of safety is going to happen". This is so right, and applies almost everywhere. And now with this situation we will need constant updates, because situation may vary greatly from week to week! Thanks for sharing.
Constant updates are definitely necessary! Not a problem Luis, hope you keep us posted on the situation where you’re at as well.
Viva Ecuador! friendly, honest people, hard working- we are visiting here now and feel safe - but keep an eye on our bags of course, but then we do that anywhere we go.
Good reasonable and balanced video about the current situation. I'm originally from California but living 10 plus years in Medellin, Colombia and have traveled all through Ecuador in my car on road trips, starting/ending my road trips at my home in Medellin, as for me I was hoping to take a road trip this year but have put it off until things settle down. It's such a shame as Ecuador is so beautiful. One of my road trips in 2019 was me solo driving/exploring/stopping at almost every town and seaside community along the 800 km coastline, from San Lorenzo in the north down to Salinas and everywhere in between. I want to do this travel again.
Ecuador truly has wonderful sights to behold and I’m glad you’ve gotten to view them. I hope you get to do that road trip but first we have to see what happens. I think if things go well, even if it takes a while, Ecuador’s can be at the best it’s ever been.
Thank you for sharing this news about Ecuador. I will be in Quito in April 2024 for 5 days and I am excited to visit this beautiful city. I am a little worried but hope things will improve by that time. Please continue to update this situation so I can be prepared. Thanks for the great job my friend.
Viva Ecuador
Not a problem and I will do my best to keep everyone up to date! Hoping that by April everything will have calmed down. In the meantime the other channels I mentioned also have been giving updates from time to time so be sure to check them out as well 💯
My wife was robbed by 2 people on a motorcycle Saturday, at small public park, 11:30 am, with lots of people around, while looking at her phone. She went there a lot, at least once a day, it’s tranquil and only 100 meters from our condo building. She believes she was targeted. The Police came, and had to come again, almost exactly 24 hours later, to investigate another crime. I know you’ve said many times crime is everywhere, but let’s turn that around. Why come here to get robbed? We feel like baby gazelles being watched by hungry lions, patiently waiting their chance. The experience was both isolating and nerve wracking. Presciently, her Spanish teacher told her, “Be careful, they are always watching”. Our reservation back to the States is confirmed. Why come here to get robbed? Peace and love from Cuenca.
I am sorry for your experience- not good what happened but thank God she wasn't shot/ molested. It could be worse.
Secondly::: have you checked out Mexico/ Spain?
And expats keep saying that Cuenca is safe. Ecuadorians know better.
So sorry to hear this 😞
surprised when you signed off from "Cuenca". used to be so safe there. hope they get things straightened out down there. don't think I'll bother returning until they do
I’m sorry your wife was robbed. I’ve never been robbed but understand the trauma involved and feeling of being violated. The response “I’m done with this country” is common and understandable. Unfortunately the chance of being a victim of petty crime is higher for foreigners because it is not random but targeted.
Can I ask if you were visiting or living in Cuenca?
I wish Americans who use illegal drugs would realize how their recreational drug use damages good countries like Ecuador. I'm an American, and I think a lot of the blame falls on the American illegal drug using populace. Wishing the best for you and Ecuador. Thank you for your candid opinion about this.
Great information Ace. Very professionally done. My wife and I are planning to move to Ecuador in about three years so your channel is very important to people like me.
Thank you.
Always glad to help and I hope the country progresses even more by the time you’re here!
The difference is that Luis is walking the streets in Cuenca, traditionally safer than the coast. I found during my first trip almost 7 years ago that I felt safer in the Sierra rather than on the coast. I pray that Noboa continues to be successful. I love Ecuador and the Ecuadorian people and want to live there in peace.
What part of the coast are you referring to exactly?
@@Robinsvideos2011 I have traveled the coast from Canoa to Salinas (I know I missed some lovely parts) and have only traveled Cuenca to Vilcabamba in the Andes, but as much as I loved the coast, as a woman traveling alone, I felt safer and more comfortable in the Sierra. When I make it back permanently, I hope to see more of this wonderful country though admittedly, I expect to settle permanently in the southern Andes.
Excellent reporting. Looking forward to your next vid. Thanks.
Good video. Thank you so much.
This is excellent. Your statistics are very informative. I'm a retired person living in Manta. I'm not leaving.
Right on! Stay safe over in Manta and I hope things go well for you. 💯
You made excellent and practical points, amigo.
Thanks for the video. I had no idea Salinas was unsafe. I thought it was. I'm in Quito, visiting, and so far, everything is OK. I'm walking a lot, but only around the safe neighborhood I'm in, and not flashing anything that may inspire thieves. I do feel fear, but I'm not letting it stop me. One of the things I do try to pay attention to is my surroundings, especially looking out for bikes with 2 riders heading my way.
Salinas is definitely a city that a lot of people here would definitely tell you to take more precautions but I also see that if you are cautious like Living Loving Abroad, then you’ll be just fine. Thankfully with Quito while it has gotten less safe, it’s still not Guayaquil levels of unsafe, even though I’ve seen comments about less than positive things happening around La Carolina park.
Oh man the 2 riders on a motorcycle is such a scary thing for everyone over here. That’s why I don’t even try to stop by a friend while riding my motorcycle because I’d just be unnecessarily giving them a heart attack.
This is the best and most realistic video on current Ecuador situation by far.
Very good to see you.😊~Great video, like always! Thanks for posting.
There are new entry restrictions for foreigners entering Ecuador by land or water from Peru or Colombia. Apparently a police background check document is now required going back 5 years.
Thanks! Always appreciate your point of view.
Good video Ace , thank you sir for your report !
Gracias por el vídeo, cuesta encontrar vídeos de gente que hable de la situación de seguridad actual del país estando en Ecuador y especialmente de Quito, a efectos de estar informados. Tenía pensado visitar el país desde el 3 de febrero al 27, mi pareja tiene familia allí y habíamos pensado ir a la reserva del Cuyabeno, al Cotopaxi, a Baños y hacer turismo por Quito. La situación sería viable? El turismo me parece poco seguro actualment. Ella parece que quiere ir, pero limitarse a salir poco de casa. Estamos indecisos sobre qué decisión tomar. Algún consejo?
Hello Ace, great work as usual . My flag is now 🇪🇨 . We are very worried about the situation in your beautiful country. The hope is back to your country. Our journalism is praisng the good job of the ecuadorian army ( Panorama) . All of our hearts and minds are with you . We close up the border in case of this gangs want to escape. Bendiciones para la linda gente de Ecuador 🇪🇨
Such a good well thought out video, I put the link on our Community Page!
Appreciate it! Hope everything stays well in Vilcabamba 😁
Thanks for this Ace, I wanted to do a similar follow-up, but your video is ON POINT! If anyone asks, I'll send them here, thanks amigo.
Appreciate it! No matter what, keep us up to date with what’s going on over in Salinas 🫡
So good to hear your view of the situation. Consider myself lucky to have been visiting last summer, not sure if I booked a flight now. Considered many of the safety advice and never felt in danger, nor even in Guayaquil. BUT didn't go out as a single female traveller. A music festival nearby but stayed in the hostel. Difficult to think I'm not free to do what I want. But in many other parts of the world people wouldn't understand my problem.
I'm so grateful that I went & all went well. I admire the beautiful sides of this amazing country & wish all the best for the people there who just want to live & raise their children in peace.
Just trying to give the best information I can and glad that you had a great time while you were here! The world is different and that’s part of the beauty of it and I as well as many others always hope that the situation in the country gets better so we can show just how great Ecuador can be.
I feel safer in Ecuador than in Baltimore, Chicago, Memphis, Oakland, NYC, St. Louis, New Orleans, etc.
Good, stay there. No one cares.
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT VIDEO! YOU HAVE USED COMMON SENSE AND LOGIC. WE LIVE IN ECUADOR. AN ADULT IN OUR FAMILY IS A CRISIS MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, FIREFIGHTER, AND PARAMEDIC AND WE ARE VERY PLEASE WITH THIS VIDEO. GREAT JOB!!! WE AGREE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE SAID.
Great analysis Ace!
Good to see your leg is alright through the Grace Of everything GOOD.
i was there in Quito just days before all this happened. We drove to Colombia and heard about the news. Sad to see but hopefully this will be all resolved soon. beautiful country
Glad you enjoyed Quito before things got more chaotic. Let’s hope for the best!
Thanks Ace, nice job. I can also recommend Kris and Mike for the Olon area.
You mentioned people I follow. Thank you for showing what expats and citizens are experiencing
Well said
Good video Ace! I don't know if you can comment or not on this but I wonder how accurate the government stats are and if this new government is involved in and/or responsible for this violent events. I hope for Ecuador's sake a good number of your politicians aren't corrupt and are trying to the right thing to stabilize the country.
🙏🙏🙏🤞🤞🤞
This guy is practicing English, the real situation is different, we have to be veryful , avoid travelling alone and om unknown places. Please follow the government instructions.
Is Vilcabamba safe? I have some American friends there. Thanks for the video.
From what I’ve heard yes! JoLi Farms are also doing great over in Vilcabamba and maybe they can give you more info on the situation there. And glad to help!
Your English is excellent. The women speaking Spanish sound beautiful to me. I love to hear women speaking Spanish. 🤗
Had no idea Ecuador was going through this, ignorant american i am. Seriously just found out because Ecuador Ive always wanted to visit and looked up videos on it and 😱
Hey I am coming to Quito this Friday me and my girl getting a Airbnb will it be safe?
Hmmm this is a kind of difficult question to answer. I will never 100% say any place is safe just because the situation is so random at the moment and even if it weren’t I’ll just quote myself, “crime doesn’t have a specific schedule, at least not one we know of”.
For example, last night there was a shooting at a UPC (police station) in Quito but there are people who will probably say that they live in a safe area so they’re good.
For your specific situation you’d have to hire a consultant who either lives where you’re going or can analyze the exact situation at the area your Airbnb is at if you want a more specific analysis. For a generalized one, I’ll say what I always say which is to take the necessary precautions like avoiding being by yourself, going out late, going to barren (empty) places, and not looking like you have a lot of money (don’t flash money, technology, jewelry, etc.)
Biggest concern is that it’ll spill into Colombia.
👍🏽
I have lived in Ecuador for twelve years and have always felt safer than in the U.S. I live in north Ecuador, almost in Colombia and our lives here have not changed. We all feel safe here, even now. President Noboa has probably done more in a few days than anyone has done. His allowing ""lethal force" gave the military and police exactly what they needed. I think President Noboa must know how pleased the people of Ecuador are with him. Many videos have shown that. However, as long as the drug addiction keeps growing so rapidly in the U.S., we will always be in the center of the drug route just because of where we are. But life in my little town has not changed and I have lived on the main intersection of a popular tourist town all of my years here. Many days I do not lock my door. I have never been robbed, pick pocketed or had anything stollen. I can walk down the street at 3:00am and feel save. I would not feel safe doing that in Guayaquil, Quito or New York City. Ace, You have made a very informative video. Great advice! And anyone coming from the U.S, do not forget the required Criminal Background check from FBI. Thank You Ace!
You are wrong about the drug trade in your country going to the USA. It's going to Asia and Europe per officials in your country. Logistics wrong for trade to USA.
Get it cleaned up...then we'll think about coming back
Does anyone know what happens in Ecuador if you don't pay a speeding ticket?
Since I’ve never really gotten a speeding ticket myself, I haven’t gone through the process but I’ve heard the cases of others and did some research:
•the first issue with a speeding ticket is the possible interests that you will accumulate if you don’t pay it. It’s bad enough paying half a minimum wage or a whole one, imagine adding interest to that…
•another issue is renewing your license. I’m currently in the process of renewing mine but if I or my vehicle had any fines I would be unable to renew my license until I paid them.
•linked to the license renewal, you’d also be held up in any process that involves your vehicle. If you need to matriculate it, that wouldn’t be possible until you pay your fine and after time passes you also get fined more for not matriculating your vehicle so you’d just be accumulating fines.
I think that’s about it or at least the main issues. Of course you could also imagine that getting caught when you already have a speeding ticket will result in more severe punishment but I can’t exactly confirm that.
@GMAceM Thanks so much for this response! It was really informative!
And I agree half of the minimum wage is a lot for a ticket.
In the US, tickets are about the same or maybe even $50 more, but people make like 3 times more money, so it's not as hard to pay.
I think you can payoff cops in Ecuador similar to how you can in Mexico and usually that gets you out of the actual ticket. I know in Mexico most cops usually just want $25 to look the other way, no harm no fowl kind of thing, not sure what it is in Ecuador but I can't imagine it being much more.
I will be in guayaquil ecuador
February 2024
Ecuador is such a beautiful country, it's tragic how the country has changed so much in few short years. For years now, I've been following a RUclipsr named, 'FallingOffTheMap.' He was an American that earned a high salary by working as an electrician in Afghanistan six months of the year; he had a family and built quite a nice life in Ecuador. And I must say, I'm shocked how quickly things have devolved. When he first started his channel, his videos talked about how safe Ecuador was. Sure there was the occasional pick pocket, but violence was very rare. Generally, crime waves are linear, escalating in a predictable away over many years, if not decades.
Anyone who believes that the situation currently taking place in Ecuador will end quickly or in a matter of a few months is kidding themselves. For example Mexico has been fighting the Drug Cartels and Narco terrorists for decades and has hardly made any progress and in some cases it's gotten much worse. The years of neglectfully not taking care of the issues has led to what is now taking place in Ecuador. Another issue is the tendency for governments to clamp down too much and the people who are innocent civilians will suffer and lose their rights and freedoms.
Counterpoint: El Salvador which quickly went from being one of the most dangerous countries in the Americas to among the safest in just 2 years
@@luisdetomaso867 El Salvador isn't really a place most people want to visit or retire, like Ecuador. I'm sure if you ask the average person in the U.S. if El Salvador is safe they would say no.
@@Resmith18SR What does any of that have to do with whether Ecuador can become safer quickly? Also, 25 million US tourists visit Mexico every year and 1.5 million US expats live in Mexico despite the drug cartels - so I'm not sure what your point is here other than trying to make baseless predictions from behind your USA computer keyboard
@@luisdetomaso867 The government and previous presidents of Ecuador have let the country deteriorate to the sad state it's currently in. The prisons there have been run by the prisoners and crime has exploded. The recent assassination of a major candidate for president is proof of that. I don't see the appeal of living there when there are so many more desirable places to visit and live given the choice.
I dont think things are going to get better as fast a we want, it's going to take a long time and effort, economy is going to suffer even more, and those "boy scouts" are backed by really powerful, well equiped cartels from Mexico, Italy, Albania, Colombia...
I say this becouse some people are thinking that in 6 months Ecuador is going to be great, but narcos are very complicated to erradicate.
I think the change will be fast. They are not sitting around. They just gave up and took a playbook from El Salvador.
Historically, it's been US foreign policy that causes most global unrest. Especially in Latin America. Is this any different?
Im from Ecuador :(
I'd love to hear twenty five year I love it goodbye
Washington cartel must be really upset about this
What angers me the most is the people who consume drugs without understanding how the process of making, selling and distributing affects other people in poorer countries... your drug consumption is not okay; I've had to cut people out of my life who are so vulgar and nasty with their heavy drug use. They don't understand the domino effects that their purchasing does to others; the war on drugs will never go away if people are still using.... and the crisis in Ecuador is due to many things. I believe COVID fucked everything up, strict curfews and police enforcing rules, people can't just go back to work like they normally did because now we have skyrocketing violence and murder, all due to Narcos. As Ecuadorians, we NEED to fight back hard on this... we cannot go down like this. Ecuador and Ecuadorians are usually very calm, peaceful, kind and hard working people... i know this because i am Ecuadorian, and i love my country so much. It hurts to see what has gone down for the past three years.
I blame governments on the war on drugs more than the people them selves.
People have a right to put or not put substances in their body so long as they aren't harming anyone else no matter how "vulgar" they might get at times, words are just words. It can become a problem when they steal to pay for their habit but there's laws against that.
The bottom line is drugs should be legal, regulated yes, but legal.
legalizing them will get rid of most of the violence associated with them because 98% of that violence comes from organized crime and gangs associated with it.
I think the sooner the people realize these things the better.
You can vote for libertarian politicians, or write your current congressman and insist they change policy. at the end of the day government is suppose to represent the people and if a big enough outreach happens to legalize politicians should respond, of course there's no guarantee, governments many times have a mind of their own and power corrupts but in theory it should work this way, but if it doesn't like I said vote in libertarians next time.
Javier Milie is actually going to legalize all drugs in Argentina along with drastically improving the economy and minimize socialist influence in the country.
Perhaps that's the direction Ecuador should go.
Great advice brother. It’s a crazy world we live in and a very crazy time. In this side of the world the u.s. is dipping their toes into war with China and Russia and i can’t believe im writing this but now there’s aliens visiting Miami 😂 what a crazy world.
I do whatever I can brother! It feels like the world is on the brink of war, someone (an Ecuadorian) even told me today that the US’ intentions are to establish a base in Ecuador as a foothold for WWIII. So truly, aliens would not surprise me at this point 😂
Teatro político.
Why don't you name the street by the park you think we would be robbed.
GOD IS IN CHARGE FOLKS! EVERYONE BEHAVE OR ELSE. A word to the wise is sufficient,
THE entire world is f upped.
ALL POWER TO THE GOOD PEOPLE. ELIMINATE THE GREEDY and CORRUPT,
SENDING WARMTH FROM QUERETARO.
Happy I moved to Queretaro in 2021 at 79 for 70% less expensive and safer. PRAYERS sent to my 1942 birth city CHICAGO from Queretaro since 2021. I know that cold weather big time. Thank God for the safety
and warmth of this city. RIP. DO NOT ALLOW THE INVADERS TO DESTROY YOU.
Treat SS like Ukraine with our money. The money is being stolen folks. Stop talking the talk and walk the walk. move to Mexico folks.
RIP EVERYONE EVERYWHERE.
Question? Why are u living in Ecuador, why don't u come back to the states if it's so dangerous
I think his family had financial problems with all the inflation in the US and thought they could do better in Ecuador. plus the US is actually more dangerous than Ecuador overall, maybe Guayaquil it self is more dangerous than most US cities (although I'd be surprised if it's more dangerous than Detroit) but that's just one city, it's not reflective of the whole country.
@hoppeanofasgard1365 man were they wrong going to live there, good luck to him, i really enjoy his content
@@Lordmij I wouldn't say he was wrong, a lot of people are struggling with inflation and just trying to figure it out.
Latin America in general is a better place to live if you start a business there or have a remote online job making US wages because cost of living is so low.
I do agree there are better options down there than Ecuador though.
@hoppeanofasgard1365 yeah, I wouldn't move anywhere else, unless The US turns to communism which most likely will never happen, if anything I'd move to Canada, it's similar like the states, I'd try to stay in a core country, 3rd world countries scare me n learning a foreign language ain't easy
@@Lordmij The US is already very socialist with some elements of fascism, communism could happen, maybe, tough to say, if it did it's probably be 30 years out or more but with the way universities push it I wouldn't say it's impossible.
Oh gosh Canada? that's even worse than the US mate, they're probably 10 years or less from becoming communist, no joke, there government is pretty authoritarian in most ways, extremely socialist, almost no privacy anymore or respect for your hard earned saved money, it's bad.
Not all of latin America is 3rd world. look in to Chile, Panama and Uruguay, I think you'll be surprised!