Guillermo Lasso made a first concession, after two weeks of sometimes violent demonstrations and blockages, and while the Parliament examines a request for dismissal.
Le Monde with AFP
The Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced Sunday, June 26, a drop in the price of fuels, in a proportion, however lower than the demands of the thousands of natives who have demonstrated and blocking part of the country for two weeks. “I decided to reduce the price of the gasoline by 10 cents (of dollar) per gallon (3.78 liters) and the price of diesel also 10 cents the gallon,” said the Ecuadorian president in a radioteledized speech .
This reduction will bring the price of diesel to 1.80 dollar, and that of gasoline at 2.45 dollars, while the powerful confederation of indigenous nationalities (conaie), spearhead of demonstrations, required a drop fuel prices at 1.50 and $ 2.10. In less than a year, diesel climbed 90 % ($ 1.90) and 46 % petrol ($ 2.55).
“Ecuadorians who seek dialogue will find a government that has the outstretched hand. Those who seek chaos, violence and terrorism will find full force of the law,” assured President Lasso, who intervened a few hours after The resumption in the Parliament of a debate on its possible denial. A majority of 92 votes out of 137 is necessary for the dismissal procedure to be adopted, while the opposition is the majority but divided within the Assembly.
oil production soon to be stopped
Since the start of the demonstrations on June 13, violence has killed at least five people and dozens of injured. Quito is largely paralyzed and its access blocked by numerous roadblocks. The demonstrators tried twice on Thursday and Friday, to enter the grounds of the National Assembly, from where they were pushed by the police.
Dams and blockages on the roads continue in 19 of the 24 provinces of the country. Shortages are already reported in Quito, where prices have soared and many markets remain closed.
Furthermore, oil production in Ecuador is at a “critical level” and will cease within 48 hours if the demonstrations and blockages continue, said the Ministry of Energy on Sunday, speaking of a production already reduced today to 50 % of normal. “(…) Vandalism, the seizure of the wells and the closure of the roads prevented the transport of supplies and diesel necessary for the maintenance of operations,” according to the ministry. Oil, extracted in the Amazonian provinces, is the country’s first export product.