Guayaquil municipality accuses Sercop of 'perverse blockade' halting $56M in contracts ahead of El Niño

Guayaquil councilor Emily Vera claims Sercop, Ecuador's public procurement agency, has blocked approximately $56 million in contracts during 2026, hindering preparations for El Niño. The accusation suggests bureaucratic obstruction may delay critical infrastructure works, though details on specific projects and verification are limited.