Cuenca news today, written for expats

The Glorieta in Parque Calderon closed May 25 for maintenance work and is expected to remain unavailable until August 31. El Mercurio reports the broader Parque Calderon renovation is now 50% complete.

Firefighters from Paute and Cuenca worked to control a forest fire in Tuzhpo, San Cristobal, after flames reportedly consumed about five hectares. El Mercurio says authorities are asking people not to burn pasture because dry, windy conditions can spread fire quickly.

The University of Cuenca opened the music line of its 2026 culture awards for young composers. El Mercurio reports applications are open through June 7 for original string-quartet works that could premiere at MusicaOcupa 2026.

A proposed ordinance would make road safety a formal municipal policy in Cuenca, with a new technical unit, five-year planning and speed-management zones near vulnerable places. El Mercurio reports Azuay registered 806 traffic crashes and 68 deaths in 2025.

Gualaceo's terminal opened in 2022 after an investment near $3 million, but El Mercurio reports the disembarkation area is unusable, the terminal is not profitable and operators say weak controls are hurting ridership.

Residents near the new Hospital Municipal de Baños say they support the project, but want clearer answers on sewer capacity, access routes and traffic pressure before the opening. El Mercurio reports the parish government says the sewer matrix should work properly and that several access options are being reviewed.