Gary Scott sent out a newsletter today - with information about the police -
"Perhaps there is corruption in high places. Perhaps this affects everyone in Ecuador due to poorly allocated government spending, etc… but I think that happens in many countries. Our experience at the day to day level it that Ecuador corruption is a non event… something like in the US."
Gary
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In my opinion and my opinion only - he is not correct in his statements. Ask any Ecuadorian about corruption only being in high places or that the corruption on the day to day level is comparable to the United States. Also, the story he used about the woman missing her purse - he has used before and I have not seen any others --- This if anything is the exception not the rule of how things work in Ecuador.
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I think if you ask any expatriate - who has been in Ecuador for ten-twenty-thirty years or longer - they would disagree that corruption would only be at high levels ---- The place is high stress - for many people at all levels - and corruption is substantial at all levels of society ----- the propina or coima - is an integral part of the culture and having some police go through polygraphs is not going to change it ------ if all the cures the government has put into place to supposedly to protect everyone worked - there does not seem to have been any noticeable decrease in corruption or crime.
A few years ago - there was a state of exception or emergency in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca ----- and during that time - I did not notice any significant presence in Guayaquil or Cuenca - and crime seems to have returned to normal or escalating numbers since.
Again in my opinion ---- I don't think long term - and maybe I am wrong that you are going to have the same influx of expats in Ecuador that you have in for example Costa Rica ----- While CR has its own set of problems for expats - the system is much more agreeable or receptive to expats. The system is much more mature -----
If you are thinking of moving to Ecuador ----- try to find out how many people are leaving -- Many of the Ecuadorians returning - from Spain - have not been because they want to - it is because the economic situation in Spain is also very troublesome at the current time.
Remember Mr. Scott was a founding member or involved in International Living at some capacity - and as any business - they are into selling - and have an agenda as anyone does ---- in trying to sell a product ---- and their products are tours geared to those thinking of moving or purchasing real estate - or learning Spanish in four days.
I would be asking why is the newsletter - touting the police are not hassling anyone or that corruption is only at high levels or that the day to day issues would be comparable to the U.S.?
"Perhaps there is corruption in high places. Perhaps this affects everyone in Ecuador due to poorly allocated government spending, etc… but I think that happens in many countries. Our experience at the day to day level it that Ecuador corruption is a non event… something like in the US."
Gary
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In my opinion and my opinion only - he is not correct in his statements. Ask any Ecuadorian about corruption only being in high places or that the corruption on the day to day level is comparable to the United States. Also, the story he used about the woman missing her purse - he has used before and I have not seen any others --- This if anything is the exception not the rule of how things work in Ecuador.
-----------------------------------
I think if you ask any expatriate - who has been in Ecuador for ten-twenty-thirty years or longer - they would disagree that corruption would only be at high levels ---- The place is high stress - for many people at all levels - and corruption is substantial at all levels of society ----- the propina or coima - is an integral part of the culture and having some police go through polygraphs is not going to change it ------ if all the cures the government has put into place to supposedly to protect everyone worked - there does not seem to have been any noticeable decrease in corruption or crime.
A few years ago - there was a state of exception or emergency in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca ----- and during that time - I did not notice any significant presence in Guayaquil or Cuenca - and crime seems to have returned to normal or escalating numbers since.
Again in my opinion ---- I don't think long term - and maybe I am wrong that you are going to have the same influx of expats in Ecuador that you have in for example Costa Rica ----- While CR has its own set of problems for expats - the system is much more agreeable or receptive to expats. The system is much more mature -----
If you are thinking of moving to Ecuador ----- try to find out how many people are leaving -- Many of the Ecuadorians returning - from Spain - have not been because they want to - it is because the economic situation in Spain is also very troublesome at the current time.
Remember Mr. Scott was a founding member or involved in International Living at some capacity - and as any business - they are into selling - and have an agenda as anyone does ---- in trying to sell a product ---- and their products are tours geared to those thinking of moving or purchasing real estate - or learning Spanish in four days.
I would be asking why is the newsletter - touting the police are not hassling anyone or that corruption is only at high levels or that the day to day issues would be comparable to the U.S.?
