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So you want to move to Ecuador

A police officer demonstrates next to a bonfire in Quito during a protest by police against a new law that cuts their benefits. (Dolores Ochoa/Associated Press)Soldiers firing automatic weapons and concussion grenades rescued Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa late Thursday from a hospital where he was trapped most of the day by police rebelling over a cut in benefits.At least one security force member was wounded in the 35-minute operation, and the government said at least one person was killed and six injured in clashes between Correa's supporters and insurgent cops earlier in the day outside the hospital.The uprising was more than a simple police protest, Correa, 47, told cheering supporters from the balcony of the Carondelet palace after being spirited away from the hospital at top speed in an SUV."There were lots of infiltrators, dressed as civilian, and we know where they were from," he shouted. But he did not blame anyone specifically.Correa was trapped in the hospital for more than 12 hours after being treated for a tear-gassing that nearly aphyxiated him during a confrontation with hundreds of police officers who also shoved him and pelted him with water.Ecuador's President Rafael Correa speaks to supporters from a balcony at the government palace in Quito. (Patricio Realpe/Associated Press)Correa expressed thanks from the balcony to all his supporters who went to the hospital and "were ready to die to defend democracy."Earlier, the government of Ecuador declared a state of siege Thursday after rebellious police angered by a law that cuts their benefits plunged the small South American country into chaos.The state of siege puts the military in charge of public order, suspending civil liberties and allowing soldiers to carry out searches without a warrant.Hundreds of officers involved in the insurrection took over police barracks in Quito, Guayaquil and other cities. Some set up roadblocks of burning tires, cutting off highway access to the capital.Schools shut down in Quito and many businesses closed early due to the absence of police protection that left citizens and businesses vulnerable to crime.Looting was reported in the capital, where at least two banks were sacked, and in the coastal city of Guayaquil. That city's main newspaper, El Universo, reported attacks on supermarkets and robberies due to the absence of police.Hundreds of Correa supporters gathered outside the National Assembly, which was occupied by striking police.The commander of Ecuador's armed forces, Gen. Ernesto Gonzalez, later declared the military's loyalty to Correa in a televised statement. He called for "a re-establishment of dialogue, which is the only way Ecuadorians can resolve our differences."When Correa confronted the protesters earlier, he was agitated and unyielding."If you want to kill the president, here he is! Kill me!" he told them before limping away with the aid of a cane as an aide fitted a gas mask over his face. Correa's right knee was operated on just last week.It was not immediately clear how much of the police force had joined the protest, which appeared to have arisen spontaneously.There were no reports of serious violence.Unrest 'an attempted coup': presidentBut Correa called the unrest "an attempted coup by the opposition," speaking to reporters by telephone from the hospital where he said he was hooked to an intravenous drip.Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, right, tried to speak with a group of police protesters but was shouted down. (Dolores Ochoa/Associated Press)There was no immediate evidence the police uprising was organized by the opposition and no protest leaders emerged to denounce the government.Correa's leftist ally, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, claimed that Correa was "in danger of being killed" by police who were preventing him from leaving the police hospital where he spent all day after the morning tumult.Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, said at one point that insurgents were trying to enter the hospital through the roof and called on supporters to march on the hospital to rescue Correa."They are trying to oust President Correa," Chavez said via Twitter. That claim was echoed by Cuba.Peru's president, Alan Garcia, said he was shutting his country's border with Ecuador until Correa's "democratic authority" was re-established.Other leaders in the region expressed firm support for Correa, as did the Organization of American States. Its secretary general, Miguel Insulza, called the situation "a coup d'état in the making."Washington's OAS ambassador, Carmen Lomellin, did not go that far. She said the U.S. "condemns any attempt to violate or alter the democratic process and constitutional order in Ecuador."Although there was no evidence of opposition ties to the police protesters, Ecuador's ambassador to the OAS, Maria Isabel Salvador, alleged involvement by "opposition politicians with military backgrounds and police ties."The striking police were angered by a law passed by Congress on Wednesday that would end the practice of giving members of Ecuador's military and police medals and bonuses with each promotion. It would also extend from five to seven years the usual period required for a subsequent promotion.© The Canadian Press, 2010

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  • Brigitte is quite the know it all.

    Seems if you disagree with her you are automatically stupid.

    Wow, she must be very popular.

    Sometimes something taken to the extreme (as in this case) is a good lesson for us all that there is more than one way to look at almost anything.
  • I’m sure I speak for all Canadians today, as I wipe a tear of pride from the corner of my eye. Watching the swearing-in of a new Head of State for our Great Dominion is a defining moment in every Canadian’s frigid existence.
    We find ourselves standing at attention, proudly lip-syncing the long forgotten words to O’Canada, as the military band from CFB Whatsmakalit plays on.
    There are lengthy speeches, a few token words in French, and precise protocol. Indian Chiefs in full dress are brought in, as is the sign-language interpreter to make the whole event PC. This is after all, a new day for Canada. A new Supreme Leader has been elected…ahhh appointed. The crowd, clutching their Double Double’s and French Cruelers chant the melodious words “Yes We Can, eh” with Ottawa’s autumnal landscape in the background.

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/david-...

    So, on this momentous day, I offer an All-Canadian apology to Boquete.ning readers…for our alleged countryperson “Brigitte”…the day’s events are a bit overwhelming for us Canucks…and sometimes the national pride just sort of takes over.

    Oh, and on a more pragmatic note: Brigitte, hate to break it ya, but we kinda fell off the UN’s HDI ladder a few years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development...
    And our propaganda…well, although the CBC is perhaps a little more refined than Fox News…it’s still propaganda.

    It’s kinda vulgar, IMHO to dis the Americans…They’ve done a heck of a lot over the last 200 years. Although they’re in a period of flux right now, they’re a resilient bunch. We may not agree with many US policies, but hey, as neighbours, it’s hard to ask for better (North Korea, anyone?).
    • El requete bueno,

      The source of all the bitching has come from two or three sources..I try to jump in and call them out...one in particular, Klee Rogers from Canada who used to live in the Boquete area. He creates all kinds of identities male and female and goes on the attack to get these bitchy and negative discussions going.

      Whatever his problem is he does not represent the majority on here and yes, he and others like him should just stay where they are and if they are in Panama they should consider leaving if they are so miserable and unhappy with their lives in Panama.

      The rest of us are enjoying life and making it better!!

      Outside of those few there are some great postings on here with a lot of good information and help.
  • CANADA CANADA CANADA, get it?

    Brigitte
    • And also..since you live in London now as "Brigitte".....my brother lives there as well.

      If you are really "Brigitte"..then prove it by meeting my brother and having tea and crumpets with him.

      He will send us the pictures of you together to prove you are indeed "Brigitte".

      How about it?
    • Yes Brigitte:

      We all now know that you are not the person you say you are. You are not german and now with this you prove it well......
      • You guys are pathetic, I bet you sit around all day long and think up new ways to piss people off!

        I feel very sorry for you that I am not German enough for you, or sound like somebody else you know, but I am who I say I am, period.

        I feel sorry for your wives, what do you accuse them of on a daily basis?

        Brigitte Aiff
        • I dont care about you pathetic person. You are telling all people to get a life....what an irony....but your actions show you surely dont have a life....a good life.

          anyways the problem with my wife is mine.... and she is so happy more than you are.

          That's all with you.... you dont deserve my time. Thanks God that I can block all your post. Be happy... or try to be..... looser.
  • Because of my financial situation my wife and I will not be ready to move for at least a year. Our choices at the moment are Panama and Ecuador. I admit that this(attempted coup) will factor into where it will be that we end up but in no way disqualify Ecuador. We lived in Bangkok the whole time they had their troubles and until it became very bad is when we decided to move. I feel now that may have been a mistake. All my friends and old clients are still safe and carrying on as nothing has happened with very little disturbance while we toil as she is unemployed and I am underemployed in the US.

    All these places have their hiccups I doubt this will be very bad for expats in the long run.
    • do not even think of moving to Ecuador, trust me, it's bad news, they are very pro Venereal, very dangerous, lots of kidnappings (more now than Colombia), a free house and free food for life would not get me to live in Ecuador!

      Brigitte (yes I have traveled to Ecuador many times, but no more)
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