In the midst of a new spiral of violence in the country, Guayaquil is commemorating 488 years since the beginning of its founding process.

What should be a celebration has a bitter taste because of what the city and all of Ecuador are going through in terms of security. However, those who love this city, either because they were born in it, or because they adopted it as their home during their lifetime, still hope for its revival.

We are glad to see approaches between the municipality of Guayaquil and the national government to cooperate in time and better in terms of security, responsibly fulfilling their duty to work for the city. This is a very important task that does not allow any further waste of time or conflicts between the two levels of government when Zone 8 (consisting of Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón) is one of the most dangerous in the country.

Poems, songs, stories, have collected over time the comings and goings of this port next to the Guayas River (as well as next to the Daula and Babahoyo rivers, which make it up), which has managed to survive for half a millennium and is waiting for better days. Two fires that almost extinguished it, natural phenomena, uncontrolled urban development, bad leaders, are part of what the city has faced, and despite everything, it still stands as a benchmark for work and struggle, which this newspaper also records since it was born in this city almost 102 years ago, and this shows that Guayaquil always comes out stronger and stronger, and this time will not be an exception. The popular phrase “guayaquileño made of warriors” always reminds him.

It is the task of the government, public forces and citizens to work together from their positions and obligations so that all Guayaquileños can walk peacefully in the city and welcome those who visit them from other parts of the country and the world with open arms and trust. A goal that seems difficult for now, but is possible. (OR)