Police Just Set Up a Permanent Checkpoint in Sayausí — Here's What That Means for the Cajas Road

A New Fixture on the Cajas Road

If you drive to Cajas National Park regularly — or live out toward Sayausí — you'll notice something new: a permanent police checkpoint (operativo fijo) has been established by the Policía Nacional in the parish.

The checkpoint was announced this week via El Mercurio's reporting, and it represents a significant escalation in police presence in western Cuenca.

Why Sayausí?

Sayausí is the last urban parish before the road climbs into the Cajas highlands. It's also:

• A growing residential area — more families and some expats have been moving into the quieter neighborhoods along the Sayausí corridor
• The main transit route to Cajas, Molleturo, and the coast via the Cuenca-Molleturo-Naranjal highway
• A gateway that connects rural highland communities to the city

As Cuenca has grown, Sayausí has become more of a suburb than a rural parish, and with that growth comes the need for increased security presence.

The $500,000 Connection

This checkpoint didn't come out of nowhere. Just last week, the GAD de Cuenca donated more than $500,000 to the Policía Nacional for equipment, vehicles, and operational resources. That municipal investment appears to be translating directly into increased operations like this one.

It's a significant commitment from the city and signals that the municipality considers security investments a priority — even as it faces budget pressures from the proposed GAD spending reform at the national level.

What to Expect

If you're driving through Sayausí:

• Carry your documents. Cédula or passport for foreigners, driver's license, vehicle registration (matrícula), and insurance (SOAT). Police at fixed checkpoints routinely check these.
• Don't be alarmed. Fixed checkpoints are a normal and generally welcome part of policing in Ecuador. They're designed to deter crime and check for stolen vehicles.
• Expect brief stops. These are usually quick — a document check and you're on your way. Be polite, have your window down, and keep your documents accessible.

The Bigger Picture

Cuenca has been ramping up its security infrastructure in recent months. Between this new checkpoint, the ongoing investment in police resources, and the general focus on keeping the city safe, the message from local government is clear: they want Cuenca to remain one of the safest cities in Ecuador.

For those of us who live here, that's reassuring — especially when the news from the coast continues to be grim.

Source: El Mercurio