Americas press review

In the spotlight: the rules of dialogue set in Ecuador

Negotiations between indigenous organizations and the Ecuadorian government will begin on July 13.

© REUTERS/Karen Toro

Text by: Marie Normand Follow

4 mins

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The government of Guillermo Lasso and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) began negotiations on Thursday July 7 in Quito, as provided for in the agreement signed at the end of June to put an end to anti-government demonstrations.

From now on, “ 

the rules of dialogue are clear for both parties

 ”, headlines

El Comercio

.

This was the objective of the discussions on Thursday July 7: to set the rules, the methodology of these negotiations, which will formally begin on Wednesday July 13 and will last 90 days.

They will take place at the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference, which plays the role of mediator.

The Minister of Government Affairs, Francisco Jiménez, explains that 10 round tables will be organized: the first will focus on fuel subsidies for people in rural areas.

The secretary of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference is rather optimistic: " 

It is the first time that we have sat down to speak with respect, looking each other in the eye, knowing that we are Ecuadorians and that we form a single working team who will seek the good

 ”.

The effects of the movement still clearly visible

La Hora

wonders why Francisco Jiménez is today the “ 

only visible face

 ” of the executive to manage the crisis.

Francisco " 

Jiménez is alone, he lacks a team (...) and it is clear that he has no support

 ", launches an analyst interviewed by the newspaper.

Where are the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Energy, (...) where are the specialized teams for each area

?

She insists: “ 

The question under discussion is not only political, it is also technical

 ”.

Meanwhile, the effects of the Conaie strike are still being felt in Ecuador, " 

particularly in the

 gas supply", maintains

La Hora

.

The situation should be restored within the next week.

The impact is also always felt “ 

in the wallet

 ”.

The daily denounces speculation and explains it by an outdated energy policy.

For

La Hora

, the public energy company is " 

a magnet for the unscrupulous greedy

 " and " 

has not been able to guarantee the security of the energy supply

 " of the country.

Mexico: Enrique Peña Nieto prosecuted for corruption

Direction Mexico, now, where a former president, Enrique Peña Nieto, is targeted by legal proceedings.

On the front page,

Milenio

explains that a complaint has been filed with the Attorney General against the former president in an alleged bribery case.

He would have received, according to the prosecution, more than 26 million pesos (more than 1.2 million euros) after the granting of a call for tenders to a foreign company.

These funds would have been transferred to Spain through a relative.

Enrique Peña Nieto assures " 

that he will prove the legality of his assets and has expressed his confidence in justice

 ".

As for the current Mexican president, Andrès Manuel Lopez Obrador, he calls not to make hasty judgments, notes the newspaper

La Razon,

which also makes its front page on this affair.

California turns off the tap in the face of drought

In the United States, California is stepping up water restrictions.

The order went into effect Thursday, the

Los Angeles Times

explains .

It restricts "

 the irrigation rights of many farms...along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers

 ."

This is the second order of this type.

Today, nearly half of California farmers are affected by these restrictions.

These “ 

unprecedented

 ” measures are commensurate with “ 

the drought that has plagued California for the past three years

 ,” said an official from the local water resources department.

There just isn't enough water for everyone

 ," he concludes.

The drought has taken a heavy toll on California's agricultural industry,

 " continues the

Los Angeles Times

.

In particular, it produces “ 

nuts, fruits, rice and hay for livestock

 ”.

Anchovies falling from the sky in San Francisco

It was 8 p.m. last month when a Californian couple heard noise on the roof, reports the

New York Times

.

Shiny, silvery objects began flying past their windows.

Once outside, the couple discovered dozens of… anchovies in their garden.

Other residents experienced the same thing on the same day.

Last week, " 

thousands of dead anchovies appeared at the edge of a lagoon

 " in the same region, the east coast newspaper continues.

Pollution, biblical prophecy?

Nay!

Scientists interviewed by the

New York Times

explain that these anchovies " 

whose population is booming off California

 " washed up on the shore, probably " 

after being chased by predators

 ".

As for the fish that fall from the sky, it would be fish transported by birds that bring them back to their young.

Some have too many beaks and drop some on the way.

Others fight and, again, open their beaks wide and let their prey escape…

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