US base in Ecuador gets last chief before close

[Jirehs1]

Hello Juanita Canada, you're right. Some of our friends on this site have gotten off track. As to the refineria en El Aromo I can tell you that the price of oil doesn't matter to those who have a vested interest in constructing this refinery. They will make millions, the locals will make next to nada and the beautiful area around El Aromo will never be the same. And only God could help the entire area WHEN there's a major oil spill, leak, rupture. I know this El Aromo area well. I hope to get back there and see it once more before it is gone forever. Stay in touch Juantia Canada. Es verdad.

[Jirehs1]

Hey Gang, I have heard a lot of bad things about major crime sprees around Ecuador lately. Is it true El Presidente Correa has sent in some sort of SWAT team to Manta to curb the escalating crime and violence? I hate to hear that. I loved Manta, the playas, the barrios, all of it and especially the people. What's the que pasa down there? Diga me! Es verdad.

[Sr Pilsener]

NWG wrote:

Billy Hewitt go away. Stick to the topic.
Tooltime...you have some good perspective from your time in Ecuador, but you need to lighten up man!

Tooltime, your posts are hysterical; unbelievable for someone from Ecuador. You are either THE Ecuadorian Archie Bunker of our time, or you have Mad Cuy's disease.

[NWG]

There are indeed special patrols in Manta, as seen on the TV news. There is also the prospect of putting the military on the streets here in Quito to combat crime. I have seen more police presence on the streets as of late. Funny thing is, they still don't do anything. Traffic congestion is out of control. People breaking traffic rules right in front of the officers and nothing happens.

[Jirehs1]

My only experience with the Policia during the year I was in Ecuador happened one hour before I left the airport in Quito on my way home to Gringo Land. Two cops asked me for a $10 donation. I didn't even hesitate. I gave EACH of thenm $10 and told them to go buy some beer and some "entertainment" for the night. Like most politicos, they work best when there's direct payment involved. Es verdad.

[Hiroki]

OMG

[juanita]

jirehs, i am finding it hard to believe that oil price won't make a difference to those who are in that business...at some point it no longer becomes viable for them to undertake such a huge investment. i was just curious to get any info that perhaps the government will re-evaluate and NOT go ahead with the refinery.? or hold off on it..
El aromo and area is beautiful and i shudder to think of a spill there(or anywhere for that matter). I would think that the locals will receive at least opportunity for a job that will pay a liveable wage. i am trying to look for good news in what does have an unfortunate potential to be quite negative.
and whats going on with the crime spree in Manta- why is that happening?
Tooltime- i wish you all the peace and joy in the world-ojala!

[Herc130]

From what I understand, USCG and Customs will still be operating outta there or are at least welcome to do so by the current government of Ecuador. We'll see how that goes I guess because I doubt even both agencies combined really has the $$ to actually run that base like the USAF. We are not the DoD lol.

Had fun whenever we deploy there, but won't be having any heartaches if we end up just operating outta some other place.

[jirehs1]

Hello Juanita, I see your point about it not making economical sense to proceed with that refinery in light of recent oil prices. But I think there will always be money to be made where oil is concerned. Especially where some one or some group is in a strong position to exploit such wealth. The only good that could come of such a refinery is that maybe the locals would earn a decent wage. But without real reguation I foresee environmental catastrophe such as is going on in el Amazonia, and the locals would suffer greatly. As to why is there such a crime spree in Manta and other places around Ecuador? Perhaps so some one or some group can have the justification to install a stronger local militia? No espero que si.

Herc130, you are right. Neither the USCG nor Customs has the dinero to carry on there in Manta. Without the Logistics and Security Forces it's just not very feasible. Que lastima. Manta was great for a while but there are other great places down there too. Es verdad.

[KING RANCH-2009]

TO ALL OF YOU ,WHOM LIVED AND LEFT LIVING IN ECUADOR,IGNORANCE SHOWS AND DEMOSTRATED AND MANY DIFERENT ASPECTS,POLITICS,RELIGION,RACE ,CULTURE. LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY.LIFE IS GOOD, AND TO SHORT.

[Angelo]

Tooltime wrote:

<quoted text>
My Uncle Galo Mino Jarrin would not agree with you, but unfortunately his was murdered buy drug deal thugs in 86

Please reach me my name is Angelo Mino son of Gribaldo Mino (General) or go to ww.angelomino4lenexa.com I was very close to your uncle.

[Angelo]

Please let's talk I was very close with Galito y a Chocha Mino they are my cousins. I am one of the Gribaldo Mino's sons. go to www.angelomino4lenexa.com