Cuenca: The Expat Capital

The Cuenca Cantonal Council is set to discuss an ordinance on September 24, 2026, aimed at prohibiting and sanctioning the activity of "vigilantes seguros." This comes as EMOV EP has conducted recent traffic operations, impounding 29 motorcycles and issuing numerous citations for various infractions in and around Cuenca.

Cuenca recently conducted a major simulation involving emergency services and the public to evaluate response capabilities for earthquakes and the El Niño phenomenon. This local effort is part of a broader regional and national push to enhance disaster readiness, though some provincial procurement processes face delays.

Azuay's provincial prosecutor has requested a hearing to formulate charges for alleged illicit enrichment against Cuenca's suspended mayor, Cristian Zamora. Zamora, currently in Mexico for medical attention, denies the allegations, stating his departure is unrelated to the investigation and that observed transactions are justified.

The Cámara de la Construcción de Cuenca will host the Inmo Build fair on September 26 and 27, 2026, at Quinta Lucrecia. This event aims to connect buyers and investors with real estate projects, construction companies, financial entities, and material suppliers, highlighting Cuenca's growing real estate sector.

Over the past weekend and into Monday, more than a dozen forest fires have destroyed significant vegetation across Cuenca and the wider Azuay province. Firefighters, supported by military personnel, are battling blazes in multiple sectors, with strong winds and difficult terrain complicating efforts. Authorities emphasize that most fires are provoked and constitute a crime.

The Ministry of Transport and Technology (MIT) missed its September 17, 2026, deadline to award the construction contract for the new Gapal traffic interchange in Cuenca. The delay follows claims from multiple bidders regarding the qualification process. Separately, the MIT is moving forward with studies for the Paute – Guarumales – Méndez road.

Cuenca is implementing new video surveillance systems in key areas like the Hermano Miguel parish and Industrial Park, featuring advanced capabilities. This comes as local fuel station workers express significant fear over insecurity due to daily cash handling, a concern highlighted by a recent violent incident involving a dispatcher in Cañar.

Hundreds of residents, officials, and organizations in Cuenca participated in the second Quinto Río march, advocating for water protection and the rejection of metallic mining. A manifesto was delivered to the Azuay governor, addressed to President Daniel Noboa, demanding the elimination of mining concessions and the definitive closure of the Río Blanco mine.

Cuenca has seen a recent increase in motorcycle-based cell phone thefts, with multiple incidents reported on September 15. In separate law enforcement actions, police arrested an individual with an active warrant and a drug trafficker received a 19-year prison sentence.