In a recent session of the Cantonal Council, the Guayaquil Municipality addressed a request from the Air Transport Undersecretariat, affiliated with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The document, which was sent on March 4, demands that the Airport Authority of Guayaquil (AAG) initiate a statutory reform process within five days. Central to this request is a proposal to transfer 50% of the authority’s board to the central government, including the appointment of the board president by the ministry and a tiebreaking vote in their favor.

On March 11, council members Ana Chóez, Cinthia García, and Nelly Pullas sent a letter to the acting mayor, Tatiana Coronel, asking for an institutional position regarding this state-issued document. During the latest session, Coronel asserted that the municipality would defend its local autonomy, suggesting that the proposed reforms could undermine their authority and decision-making capabilities.

This situation raises significant implications for local governance in Guayaquil as the proposed changes threaten to shift power dynamics between local authorities and the central government. By seeking to assert control over the Airport Authority, the national government may face pushback from local officials who view these measures as an infringement on their autonomy, potentially leading to further discussions on governance structures in Ecuador.