Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso has reduced fuel prices, an issue that triggered the 15-day wave of protests in the country and left at least seven dead. But the decision did not dampen the acts, which continue with roadblocks, leaving oil production in a critical situation.
“This decision is insufficient, it is insensitive”, said the powerful Conaie (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador), after Lasso announced, on Sunday night (26), a reduction of US$ 0.10, taking the price of diesel at US$ 1.80, and gasoline at US$ 2.45. Protesters, however, are demanding that the government lower prices to $1.50 for a gallon of diesel and $2.10 for regular gasoline.
The Executive’s decision “does not show solidarity with the situation of poverty faced by millions of families”, said this Monday (27) to Conaie, in a statement signed by its leader, Leónidas Iza, adding that “the fight does not stop (. ..) and that the protest is still in effect”. The entity also analyzes whether it accepts to talk to the Presidency team after a first contact on Saturday.
Lasso, in power for a year, is cornered by demonstrations and the opposition, which is discussing his possible removal. Roadblocks and the seizure of more than a thousand wells have left the oil sector, Ecuador’s main export, in crisis. If the protests continue, the country could stop producing the item within the next 48 hours, according to the government, which has reported losses of $500 million in the state oil sector and the private flower, dairy, tourism and other businesses.
In addition to the reduction in fuel prices, the Ecuadorian leader also removed security measures imposed to contain the protests and announced the offer of subsidized fertilizers and debt forgiveness. On Twitter, Lasso said that the announced measures will cost a total of US$ 600 million (R$ 3.1 billion).
At the same time, Congress debated, for the second day in a row, the possibility of removing Lasso, who a sector of the opposition considers responsible for the political crisis that has affected the country since June 13, with almost daily acts and blockades. After seven hours of deliberations on Sunday, the session was adjourned to this Tuesday. Twenty deputies still intended to speak out of a total of 84 registered to speak.
The Union for Hope bench, a party linked to former socialist president Rafael Correa, called for a debate against Lasso, who sees social pressure as an attempted coup. For the impeachment to take place, 92 of the 137 possible votes are needed in Congress, in which the opposition has a majority but is fragmented. After the debates are concluded, deputies will have up to 72 hours to vote.
Nearly 14,000 indigenous people are protesting across the country to demand measures to alleviate poverty on their farmland, and nearly 10,000 protesters have left their home cities to travel to the capital.
