Old Leather Briefcase

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Old Leather Briefcase

Luis Ramos will not peel off from his old black leather briefcase. "I have all my capital in the bag," joked the affable face Lojano. Eight years ago Huaquillas reached on the border with Peru. His intention was to engage in currency exchange. An uncle, also money changer, was introduced in the business. "He was killed. This activity is dangerous, "said the forex trader quietly, clutching his briefcase. The interior of the portfolio is full of compartments. Inside are small wads of dollars and soles, the Peruvian currency. Also a school calculator, pens, wet sponge fingers, plastic bags, many leagues and somewhat inevitable, a game of cards. "It's to entertain when no customers. " It's noon and in the corner of Republic and Portovelo, next to the old office of the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation (CAE), a group of seven moneychangers gather around a planter. They talk and play jokes while waiting for customers. A frequent customer of Ramos gets off a motorbike and pulls out a wad stealth with USD 500. "It seems a lot, but this transaction only $ 0. 40 I earned," said Ramos, after his client withdrew. For about 100 formal Huaquillas moneychangers, the business is currently unprofitable. Before the country is dollarized, in the city there were 400 money changers. "So yes it was good business, because they earned more soles sucres changing," says Cecilia Cordova, 62. Now, on a good day you get $ 20. According to him, sometimes only wins for lunch. Cordova is secretary of the Association on September 12, which brings together 43 partners. The other association, October 20, is the oldest and has 65 money changers. Anibal Calderon is president of the latter. Said that the reduction of border trade, competition from the informal money changers and uncertainty affecting the business. "There were many informal, but local police claim and began to control them," he says. The informal money changers usually walk the streets offering their services, especially to visitors passing through the city. Do not carry the credential that identifies the formal. Calderon said that the money changers living in constant danger, because of frequent attacks. Each has a sad story to tell. Most know of a friend assaulted or murdered. "We've had like 20 rounds this year," says Cordova. One of the most recent was two months ago. "A band gunpoint to a police officer then watched closely and took the money from colleagues," says Calderon. Since then assigned more uniformed police and increased patrols in places where you will find the money changers. Both unions are looking to install cameras Municipality (eagle eyes) in their workplaces. That was one of the council offers as part of a public safety plan that is intended to implement with police support. The largest group of moneychangers are located next to the international bridge, less than 40 meters in Aguas Verdes, the Peruvian town nearby. Ramos, who has spent six years in the business, prefers to be located in the shadow of the monument to money changers, a sculpture dirty and worn. There awaits guests. Please leave your comments!. Please try to keep your opinion regarding the news, not to use insults, abuse or disrespect to the author and other people who comment on the story, if not doing so your comment may be deleted. .
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