Ecuador, currently suffering from a severe power shortage, has instituted rolling blackouts around the country to save energy. Every day, different sectors of Quito and rural areas will have their power cut for from three to six hours. The local paper, El Comercio, has the schedule online (http://ww1.elcomercio.com/default.asp) or in their printed edition. Hotels and most restaurants and nightlife are making the most of it, staying open and providing service (most stoves and ovens use gas and are unaffected, although refrigeration might be a concern). Ecuadorians are aware of the problem and will usually know when their sector is due for an outage. Important services such as hospitals have generators, but in many areas traffic lights may be out. The power shortage is due to low rainfall in the south where Ecuador’s lone electric plant operated off a dam: some estimate that the crisis may last months.

As many of you may know, Honduras is currently in a chaotic state. What do visitors need to know?

What’s Going on?

In June, the Congress booted President Manuel Zelaya with the support of the army and Supreme Court, giving him a one-way ticket to Costa Rica on a military plane. He’s been trying to reclaim his office ever since.

Where is he now?

Ex-president Zelaya is holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa. There are occasional protests of support outside the building, although the army breaks them up pretty quickly.

Are they going to let him be president again?

That’s the big question. He wants to reclaim his office. There are near-constant talks between his camp and the interim government, but they mostly seem to be going nowhere. The current government is promising to arrest him if he leaves the embassy.

What happens now?

Time is on the side of the interim government. There is a regularly scheduled election coming up in November. Although there are currently sanctions by the international community now for their clumsy removal of Zelaya, it will be hard to maintain those sanctions after an election. Expect the interim government to stall the talks until November. Maybe then they’ll let him back, once his power is severely limited by the presence of a new, incoming administration.

What does this mean for Honduras tourism?

If you’re sunning yourself on Roatan, very little. If you’re in Tegucigalpa, you’ll want to know that crime is up, as drug gangs are taking advantage of the chaos to increase trafficking to North America. Also, the police are busy keeping an eye on the protests, so street crime is up even higher than usual, if that’s possible in Tegucigalpa. Sanctions are hitting the poor hard.

Anything else I need to know if I’m in Honduras?

One of the places this conflict is playing out is in the media. The interim government has closed and re-opened oppositional radio and TV stations, and suspended some liberties. Be aware of curfews.

This past weekend the Galapagos luxury yacht Cormorant II (formerly Journey II) sank off the coast of Isabela Island late at night. Fortunately, a park service patrol was nearby and all passengers and crew were saved. According to early reports, the Cormorant II lost power somehow in rough waters. The crew was able to call for help. The ship was heavily damaged in the rough waters and rocks and it is not yet know if some or all of it can be salvaged. If you have booked a cruise on the Cormorant II, please contact your tour agent.

Between a national curfew and low-level skirmishing in the streets, Honduras (and Tegucigalpa in particular) is currently a risky place for travelers. Former President Manuel Zelaya, ousted in June in a questionable constitutional coup, returned recently to the country and has been holed up in the Embassy of Brazil. The government that replaced him has vowed to arrest him and probably will if he can be flushed out of the sanctuary of the embassy. Zelaya’s supporters have held demonstrations in support outside the embassy only to be driven off by police using batons and tear gas. The situation is unlikely to get much worse, but travelers in Honduras are urged to take care in the next few days and avoid the area near the Brazilian Embassy.

Talk about a wake-up call: Early Sunday, soldiers in Honduras marched into the home of president Jose Manuel Zelaya, arresting and exiling him to Costa Rica, marking the first successful military coup in Central America in over 16 years. Congress appointed Roberto Micheletti to serve the rest of Zelaya’s term, which ends in January. The coup took action after Zelaya disregarded the Supreme Court’s ruling and Congress’ vote against holding a referendum he was pushing that would allegedly extend his rule.

For many, this signifies both a disruption in democracy and hope, as sad memories resurface of military dictatorships that once dominated Central America. In Nicaragua Zelaya met with nine leftist nations who agreed to remove their ambassadors from Honduras until Zelaya’s return, and will reject all new diplomats from the replaced government. Government leaders all over North, Central and South America are reacting to the coup, with most siding with Zelaya.

Thousands of protestors surrounding the presidential palace in Tegucigalpa were met with tear gas and shields. Armed forces set up roadblocks to the capital city and the coup has temporarily shut down all media outlets. However, most of the city experienced a typical — albeit cautious and tense — Monday, with most businesses open and operating.

James Goller from Viaventure reported to V!VA Travel Guides that tours and tourist services have remained unaffected, but will notify us of any updates.

Mexican government officials issued a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch Monday morning for the Western coast of Mexico, prompting officials in the popular resort town Acapulco to prepare over 120 emergency shelters and urging residents/travelers to stay indoors. Tropical Storm Andres, formed just yesterday, is currently situated 120 miles southwest of Zihuatanejo off the southwestern coast of Mexico. However, Andres is picking up speed and strength, and forecasters fear it may develop into a hurricane within the next few days.

TS Andres is currently moving north to northwest, tracing the coastline, but even the slightest turn north could result in coastal contact. Even if Andres never reaches land, the tropical storm will bring heavy rain, strong winds and high waves (12 to 15 feet high) — including deadly rip currents. Residents and travelers to the Pacific South should be extra cautious and stay indoors until further word from officials.

For further information and updates on Andres and other tropical storms, visit the National Hurricane Center.

A four-hour shootout late Saturday claimed 18 people — including two soldiers — in the popular resort town of Acapulco, leaving tourists in nearby hotels shaken and scared. The bloody battle was ignited Saturday evening after Mexican soldiers responded to an anonymous tip about a group of armed men gathered around a mansion along Avenida Rancho Grande, a particularly dangerous street that splits low and high- income neighborhoods.

Upon arrival soldiers were met with gunfire, grenades and heavily armed men. A four-hour shootout ensued, killing 18 and wounding nine soldiers. Over 3,000 shots were fired, and authorities seized a massive mix of weaponry, which included over 40 guns, several grenade launchers and thousands of various caliber ammunition. Several high class cars were also confiscated, including a Mercedes Benz. Inside soldiers found four men, reportedly Guerrero state police officers, bound and without shirts. Although authorities have yet to identify the gunmen, the sophisticated weaponry and expensive cars parallel drug cartels. However, no drugs were found at the scene.

Acapulco has long been a tourist hotspot in Mexico for both local and international travelers. Despite a slight decline in travel due to its urbanization in recent years, Acapulco still ranks alongside Cancun and Mazatlan for most popular Mexican destinations. Tourism in Mexico has already suffered this year due to its swine-flu outbreak

Friday marked a bloody end to a violent clash between police officers and 2,500 Indian protestors who had set up a highway roadblock in Bagua, Peru.  The AFP, along with Bagua Mayor Mayor Luis Nenez Teran, confirms 16 dead — nine police officers and seven Amazon Indians. However, the number is likely rise, making it the bloodiest protest in decades.

Violent fights broke out after police attempted to break up a protest made up of some 65 Indian tribes who had set up a roadblock of tree trunks and boulders in protest over President Alan Garcia’s decrees that had lifted restrictions on oil, mining and wood harvesting in the Amazon.  The tribes have been boldly fighting the decrees, stating it directly threatens their historic land and culture.  For the last two weeks passionate protestors have invaded airports and set up blockades on major roads and riverways. Amazon tribe leader Alberto Pizango states:  “We are natives demanding respect for our territory and environment.”

Police managed to clear the road, but protestors broke into mobs, looting and setting fire to several government buildings, and attacking the local police station with firearms. Mobs have scattered throughout the city, and Bagua officials are anxiously awaiting reinforcements to help end the bloodshed.

The Mexican Federal Government detained ten mayors of small towns and communities in the Pacific State of Michoacan today, dealing a setback to the dreaded La Familia drug cartel. 18 other officials were also detained, including two police chiefs. After six months of investigation, it was determined that these officials had routinely protected La Familia interests in their communities, including allowing them to set up and operate methamphetamine labs. The State of Michoacan has been plagued recently by drug-related violence. The arrests show just how pervasive the cartels are and how high their protection extends. Travelers in Western Mexico may want to be a little more wary in coming days in the event of retaliation from La Familia on law enforcement officials.

As the Swine Flu threatens to take yet more lives, what are travelers to expect in Mexico and in what ways are they affected? One thing is clear: to visit the chaotic capital at this time would not be a true reflection of how this usually buzzing city lives.
Travelers, prepare to be disappointed in the next few days. The usual hot spots which may be on the itinerary are likely not to be operating. The government has closed libraries and museums, as well as state run theatres and popular night life venues in an attempt to contain the outbreak. Restaurants are reported to have been nearly empty and shopping malls are devoid of their usual frenzied madness. Public and cultural events have been axed, where football matches are played to empty stadiums and churches commence their sparsely attended services without mass.
As a response, more tourists seem to be using the turibus to get to attractions outside of Mexico City. Demand to go to the Teotihuacan pyramids, an hour or so from the capital, has risen as tourists look for alternative sights to visit.
Transport has been affected by the virus outbreak. Flagging down taxis may prove a lot harder than usual as any potential risk of contracting the virus stops drivers from picking up passengers as regularly. The continued operation of the public transport system is also in dispute as the Mayor declared that all activities should be indefinitely suspended until the outbreak is under control. No metro service could throw the city into further chaos though as it is used by an overwhelming 5 million people a day. Mexico City`s international airport, however, remains fully operational, with airlines offering a free time change of travel due to the flu outbreak. However, expect to see doctors on hand in the terminals and an array of Mexicans donning protective face masks.
Health warnings are being issued in and around Mexico City. Basic hygiene, such as washing hands with antibacterial soap, is encouraged, as well as staying away from overly crowded areas, including elevators and waiting lines.
Despite the obvious worries of Mexicans towards the virus, many tourists appear to be finding the measures the government is taking to contain the virus more frustrating than necessary. One tourist described the closure of the city`s major museums as over the top, and another was confused to why even small souvenir shops had closed. One Polish tourist even claimed to not have known about the flu virus, despite seeing people wearing face masks. Many Americans are still considering visiting Mexico against health warnings. In a city where everyone is on red alert, alarm does not seem to be a forefront emotion for many tourists.

-Abigail Foulkes, Viva Staff Writer