Articles

A woman was murdered inside a funeral home. Two suspects have been arrested. Police say four killings in late February and early March are connected to disputes over drug sales territory in the city. Here's what expats need to know about the safety picture right now.

New panoramic cameras with AI-powered detection, license plate recognition at every major entry and exit point, and the country's largest AI monitoring room — all connected to ECU 911. Cuenca continues to invest heavily in safety while staying out of any state of emergency.

Pumaspungo Resto Bar on the Paseo Tres de Noviembre was broken into during the Carnaval holiday. Thieves entered through the roof while the restaurant was closed. Business owners in El Centro are now organizing community alarm systems.

The Policía Nacional has established a fixed security operation in Sayausí, the western Cuenca parish that serves as the gateway to Cajas National Park. It comes after the municipality donated over $500,000 to bolster police resources in the area.

If Cuenca felt unusually packed this weekend, you weren't imagining it. Hotels hit 90% occupancy, 1.3 million Ecuadorians hit the road, and the government estimates the four-day feriado will generate up to $100 million in tourism spending. Here's what the Carnival boom actually looked like.

What started as a festive Carnival Saturday turned dangerous fast. Intense afternoon rains on February 14 and 15 flooded at least 15 neighborhoods, damaged homes in Barabón Chico, and sent emergency crews scrambling across western Cuenca. Meanwhile, in Cajas National Park, lightning struck four hikers on Cerro San Luis.

If you see people in teal blue uniforms patrolling El Centro and don't recognize them — relax, it's still the Guardia Ciudadana. Cuenca's municipal security force ditched the old red look for a full rebrand in 2026. Here's what changed and what they actually do.

If you bought a new vehicle in the last two weeks and couldn't register it, the wait is over. The ANT just restored new vehicle registration in Cuenca after a corruption scandal shut the system down nationwide. Here's the backstory and what you need to do.

Every event, concert, and parade happening in Cuenca for Carnival 2026 — from the Mote Pata workshop to Nicky Jam at the stadium. Plus Tranvía schedule changes, road patrol info, and what's open and closed this holiday weekend.