Warden Message 2009-02
January 16, 2009
Dear Warden and Registrant:
Please share the following information with all American citizens as soon as possible. Please contact the American Citizen Services section via e-mail (ACSGuayquil@state.gov) or telephone 232-3570 ext. 227, if you have any questions.
The U.S. Consulate Ecuador wishes to inform American citizens visiting or resident in Ecuador that on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, indigenous groups are anticipated to carry out a large scale demonstration in Quito against the recently passed mining law. It is expected that numerous groups throughout the country will travel to Quito to participate in the demonstration. The demonstrators are expected to gather at the Ruminahui Coliseum in Quito and conduct marches on Tuesday, January 20. Numerous streets in Quito may be closed and public buses and taxis within Quito may also halt services.
It is also possible that those groups which do not travel to Quito will hold protests in the particular province in which they reside. In the past, groups have utilized road closures as a means of protest. Protestors may block roads leading into and around both Quito and Guayaquil, including roads between Cuenca and Guayaquil in the Azuay province.
At this time it is unknown how many participants will be involved in the demonstrations. Last week in the Azuay Province, individuals protesting the same law blocked roads and burned an ambulance.
Security Tips Regarding Large Gatherings and Demonstrations in Ecuador
American citizens are strongly urged to avoid large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. If you come across a protest or a road block, either wait for the road block to end or find an alternate route. While protests/demonstrations in Ecuador are generally nonviolent, they can easily turn violent.
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Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. Please see the following links for local warden message information in Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, http://ecuador.usembassy.gov and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov
U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 398 5000 X3800. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. See also the Embassy web site at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov. American Citizen walk-in hours are between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904. See the Consulate General web site at http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov