Ecuador Ecuador's Gold

THE BLACK KIND
Ecuador’s natural ecosystems continue to be threatened by oil interests. President Noboa decided to extend the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline in order to increase oil extraction from the Oriente. The pipeline doubles Ecuador’s oil transport capacity, thus supplying badly needed income. Unfortunately, the pathway cut directly through protected areas, including the beautiful Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve, one of Ecuador’s prime ecotourism destinations. The plan persisted despite outraged protesters.

THE WHITE KIND
As Plan Colombia (the US’s billion dollar effort to eliminate coca growth and export) unfolds, Ecuador has had to take precautions to prevent the war on drugs from spilling onto its own soil. Despite its military presence near Colombia, the turmoil has crossed the border. Aerial fumigations of coca fields and increasing numbers of impoverished coca farmers have caused Colombians to flood across the border with Ecuador. Specifically, the area near Lago Agrio has been infiltrated with violence and kidnappings related to the drug trade. Disappointingly, the ills wrought by Plan Colombia have not been vindicated by its benefits. Over 500,000 acres of coca fields have been sprayed, yet the total area devoted to coca production is three times what it was five years ago.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.