Argentine defiance in appeal of $1.4 billion debt ruling aims at unlikely Supreme Court win

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina –  With just hours to go before Argentina has to show its last cards in a billion-dollar debt showdown in the U.S. courts, President Cristina Fernandez seems to be keeping up her "we're going for more" motto. Her government is reportedly preparing a response that analysts say could lead the country into another catastrophic default.
Argentina has until midnight Friday to propose how it would satisfy a $1.4 billion judgment won by plaintiffs who have insisted for a decade on getting full payment in cash, plus interest and penalties, on sovereign debt that the country hasn't paid since its world-record default in 2002.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/29/argentine-defiance-in-appeal-14-billion-debt-ruling-aims-at-unlikely-supreme/#ixzz2P5LbA0K6

Salmon: Could Cyprus Go the Way of Ecuador?

Salmon: Could Cyprus Go the Way of Ecuador?By Felix Salmon 03/29/13 - 03:56 PM EDT

 NEW YORK (Reuters Blogs) -- A small country that has adopted a major global currency finds itself with massive debts and insolvent banks. Its only real hope is that it controls areas rich in hydrocarbons; the problem is that it has neither the wealth nor the expertise to exploit those hydrocarbons on its own. The result: It ends up essentially selling itself to an omnivorous global superpower that is interested only in access to resources rather than in domestic economic growth and prosperity. 

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11883579/1/salmon-could-cyprus-go-the-way-of-ecuador.html 

Peru Announces Military Draft as Govt Fights Traffickers, Rebels

Peru Announces Military Draft as Govt Fights Traffickers, Rebels: Written by Miriam Wells Thursday, 28 March 2013

The Peruvian government has reinstated a military draft in order to counter a shortfall of 30,000 personnel, as the country militarizes its fight against drug traffickers and Shining Path guerrillas. Armed forces commander Admiral Jose Cueto said a lottery system would be used to select men aged between 18 and 25 in May, reported the Associated Press. Parents and university students are exempt, and those selected can avoid service if they pay a $700 fine, sparking fierce criticism that the burden will fall almost entirely on the country's poor.: http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/peru-announces-military-draft-traffickers-rebels?utm_content=aggiecarter%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Peru+Announces+Military+Draft+as+Govt+Fights+Traffickers%2C+Rebels&utm_campaign=Weekly+InSight%3A+Vigilante+Standoff%3B+Gang+Trucecontent

BRICS leaders agree on joint development bank

The BRICS group of emerging economies has hammered out a deal to establish an infrastructure bank that will rival the Western-dominated World Bank.Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa met Wednesday, on the second day of the fifth BRICS summit in the South African city of Durban.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/27/295436/brics-nations-draw-up-joint-bank-deal/

Plotting the next Silicon Valley -- you'll never guess where- ECUADOR

Plotting the next Silicon Valley -- you'll never guess where

special report Crave globe-trotter Eric Mack kicks off an exclusive four-part series on the unlikely Latin American spot hoping to transform itself into a new hub for science, technology, and innovation.http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57575554-1/plotting-the-next-silicon-valley-youll-never-guess-where/

by Eric Mack

March 26, 2013 9:00 AM PDT

Ecuador Auctions Off Amazon to Chinese Oil Firms

By Jonathan Kaiman, Guardian UK

28 March 13

cuador plans to auction off more than three million hectares of pristine Amazonian rainforest to Chinese oil companies, angering indigenous groups and underlining the global environmental toll of China's insatiable thirst for energy.http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/329-126/16682-ecuador-auctions-off-amazon-to-chinese-oil-firms

Ecuador GPS Map - GPSTravelMaps.com

This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a POI (point of interest), city point and/or latitude and longitude with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.  

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes.   Compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units.   This is the most comprehensive GPS map available at such an affordable price! Includes the Galapagos Islands.
Latest Update: March 2013 v1.8

Statistics of the map:

•  38,000+ kilometers of Highways, Major Roads and Residential Streets with turn-by-turn, voice guided directions.

•  Over 11,000 unique points of interest.

•  All rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, beaches, volcanos, mountain summits, golf courses, ferry's, parks, cemeteries, etc.

Ecuador GPS Map - GPSTravelMaps.com

Mindo Flood 23 MARCH...

Mindo Flood

23 Mar This is a rapid post to be updated later.
On March 21 we journeyed to Mindo, Ecuador in the “Cloud Forest” on the western slopes of the Andes about two hours west of Quito.  We had a great time partaking of Mindo’s many attractions, including bird watching, forest canopy cable car ride, zip-lining and the local faire (more on that in a following post).
http://ecuadorlifeandculture.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/mindo-flood/#respond

AHHH CUENCA!!: A Trip with Granny's Cousins - Part 1

AHHH CUENCA!!: A Trip with Granny's Cousins - Part 1: My friend ‘Granny’ from Nashville …oops, sorry….Nashvull, Tennessee had family coming to Ecuador for the first time.  Mahmaw, her 2 nd ...

Ecuador orders small bank to suspend operations

QUITO, March 18 | Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:01pm EDT

(Reuters) - Ecuador's banking regulator on Monday ordered one of the smallest banks in the Andean country to suspend operations due to solvency and liquidity problems.
The Territorial Bank currently has assets worth $170 million. Ecuador's banking system had total assets worth nearly $28 billion by the end of 2012. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/19/ecuador-bank-idUSL1N0CAFQQ20130319

Life in the middle of the world - Ecuador: Two words to describe Quito?

Life in the middle of the world - Ecuador: Two words to describe Quito?: I have been thinking about this post for a while.  If I could use two words to describe Quito what would those two words be?  I drive around...

On A Roll: Ecuador's gamble with the U.S. Dollar  

From Today in Ecuador - Miami Herald

QUITO – Ecuador’s Law of Economic Transformation, which made the U.S. dollar the nation’s legal tender, has lived up to its name by any measure. Since the adoption of the dollar in 1999, the country’s economy began rising from the dead and today the population of 15 million has never had it so good.: http://www.todayinecuador.com/noticias-ecuador/on-a-roll-ecuador-s-gamble-with-the-u-s-dollar-576256.html 

Ecuador’s Paraplegic (Former) Vice President Lenin Moreno

Ecuador’s Paraplegic (Former) Vice President 

Lenin Moreno a Major Force for Disability Rights

It can be easy to overlook the tiny South American nation of Ecuador. Yet Ecuador stands out as one of the region’s most advanced countries for disabled people. A major force behind this effort is Lenin Moreno, Ecuador’s vice president. A paraplegic, Moreno is one of the world’s highest-ranking leaders using a wheelchair.
Lenin Moreno was once a wealthy businessman and politician. But in 1998, he was shot in the back as gunmen stole his car from a parking lot in Quito. He was paralyzed from the waist down. Moreno overcame intense pain and bouts of depression to become a motivational speaker. He’s written books about the healing power of laughter. He also performs inspirational songs.:
http://www.theworld.org/2013/02/ecuador-lenin-moreno/

New UIO Airport Update March 13, 2013 Gringo Tree

New UIO Airport Update

March 13, 2013
Tomorrow marks three weeks since the new Mariscal Sucre Airport opened east of Quito. We’ve had a fair amount of feedback from people who’ve passed through there on their way to and from Ecuador. This is a summary of what we’ve learned, both from you and on our own. ..
http://www.gringotree.com/cuenca/articles/mod/articles/article.php?article=51

Terrorism Watch: U.S. Embassy Lifts Travel Restriction to Cusco Reg...

Terrorism Watch: U.S. Embassy Lifts Travel Restriction to Cusco Reg...: The United States Embassy in Lima has lifted a travel restriction on Peru’s southern region of Cusco and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu...

Terrorism Watch: FARC negotiators not allowed to leave Cuba: PG

Terrorism Watch: FARC negotiators not allowed to leave Cuba: PG: If the FARC negotiators leave Cuba now they will be captured, Colombia 's prosecutor general said Friday. Eduardo Montealegre'...Eduardo Montealegre's statement comes after the FARC negotiators allegedly tried to charter a flight in order to attend the funeral of President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.

Furloughs bite for customs workers,

By Mike M. Ahlers, CNN

March 8, 2013 -- Updated 1028 GMT (1828 HKT)

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Monday that she expects customs wait times to increase to 150 to 200 percent of normal.
"I don't mean to scare, I mean to inform. If you're traveling, get to the airport earlier than you otherwise would. There's only so much we can do with personnel," Napolitano said.
The union representing some 24,000 agency employees predicted the cuts will "undercut" national security and lead to a loss of revenue.

Should You Move To Another Country To Escape...

Should You Move To Another Country To Escape The Collapse Of America? 10 Questions To Ask Yourself First

1..Do You Speak The Language? If Not, How Will You Function?
2..How Will You Make A Living? 3..Will You Be Okay Without Your Family And Friends? 4..Have You Factored In Weather Patterns And Geological Instability? 5..What Will You Do For Medical Care?
 6..Are You Moving Into A High Crime Area?
7..Are You Prepared For “Culture Shock”?
8..What Freedoms and Liberties Will You Lose By Moving?
9..Is There A Possibility That The Country You Plan To Escape To Could Be Involved In A War At Some Point?
10..When The Global Economy Collapses, Will You And Your Family Be Okay For Food?
..all very good questions to ponder before leaving out!
Read more at http://investmentwatchblog.com/should-you-move-to-another-country-to-escape-the-collapse-of-america-10-questions-to-ask-yourself-first/#fQuHY4xhwR7wyza3.99

ECUADOR NEWS : Ecuador,Requirements for an pension visa

ECUADOR NEWS : Ecuador,Requirements for an pension visa: Ecuador news - Here is the complete list with the requirements to obtain an Ecuadorian pension visa. Annuitant Visa 9-I Foreign Pension ...

"Ecuador At Your Service" radio show on the Oversees Radio Network

Radio Cuenca

"Ecuador At Your Service" radio show on the Oversees Radio Network.

 

Ana Lucia Serrano, who heads up the Cuenca Immigration Office, will be the featured guest on the "Ecuador At Your Service" radio show on the Oversees Radio Network. The show airs live on Monday at 11:00 AM, but can be downloaded from the archives at any time. Ashley & Michel will interview Ms. Serrano about the "3 R's": Rules, Regulations, and Requirements for getting visas and cedulas in Ecuador. http://ecuadoratyourservice.com/

500 North Americans Have Come to Cuenca So Far in 2013

ECUADOR NEWS : 500 North Americans Have Come to Cuenca So Far in ...: Ecuador news - In the past, there was a net migration of people from Ecuador going to the United States mostly looking for work.  Now the ...Of the 500 US and Canadian citizens who have come to Cuenca in January and February of this year, some are visitors looking to see if they like the city to spend their retirement years. 

Others have already made this decision and are settling in. Foreign retirees are a benefit to the economy of Cuenca. 

Many of them bring their retirement savings to invest in the country. They also spend their money on rent, food, clothing, transportation, and medical services.

Intense rain accompaied by electrical storms - Guayaquil

Intense rain accompaied by electrical storms - Guayaquil
via Susan Schlesinger: Intense rain accompaied by electrical storms of throughout tha afternoon yesterday, Saturday March 2, 213 in Guayaquil, Samborondón y Durán.

Sectors in the north, center and south of Guayaquil were the most affected by the precipitation where the water covered up to half the car height and caused blockages in the roadways.

Power outages are causing diversion of planes to Manta and information is being shared by sms on twitter.: http://www.eluniverso.com/2013/03/03/1/1445/calles-anegadas-caos-trafico-intensa-lluvia.html

Ecuador remains in the list of countries not cooperating in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing

 Ecuador remains in the list of countries not cooperating in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) (Acción Financiera Internacional (GAFI). The Attorney said in a statement that it will continue in that status “at least until the next meeting, in June 2013, and which will be reviewed again your situation and progress.” At the meeting of the FATF, 20 and 22 February in Paris, adopted the report of the Review Group for International Cooperation (ICRG).

http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/ecuador-on-list-of-countries-not-cooperating-in-fight-against-money-laundering-terrorist-financing/26984/