LatinNews Regional Monitor: Andean Group - 12 May 2020

* Raúl Delgado, president of the association of Ecuadorean municipalities (Ame), has called for President Lenín Moreno to engage in a direct dialogue with local authorities regarding the funds they are owed by the central government. Delgado reported that the US$171m monthly payment owed to Ecuador’s 221 municipalities was withheld in April for the third consecutive month, meaning this debt now totals over US$500m. The central government has justified the decision as a necessary response to the economic and health emergencies caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, but Delgado noted that the government has delegated much of the responsibility for tackling the virus to local authorities, and argued that they cannot complete this task without the proper resources.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 119 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial