While Parliament is debating the possible dismissal of Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, he announced Sunday a drop in fuel prices. But this reduction remains lower than the demands of the thousands of natives who have been demonstrating and blocking part of the country for two weeks.
” I decided to reduce the price of gasoline by 10 cents [de dollar] per gallon [3,78 litres] and the price of diesel also 10 cents a gallon “, declared the Ecuadorian president in a radio and television broadcast, Sunday June 26, while MPs debate possible dismissal of Guillermo Lasso.
A smaller drop than expected
This reduction will bring the price of diesel to $1.80, and that of gasoline to $2.45. It is below what was claimed the powerful confederation of indigenous nationalities (Conaie), spearheading protests against the rising cost of living. It demanded a drop in fuel prices to 1.50 and 2.10 dollars while diesel rose by 90% (to 1.90 dollars) in less than a year and gasoline by 46% (to 2. $55).
A decision that comes as the Ecuadorian Parliament examines since Saturday evening the request for the dismissal of Guillermo Lasso, whom opposition deputies hold responsible for the ” serious political crisis which is shaking the country. On Sunday, the president appealed to the ” dialogue “. “ Ecuadorians who seek dialogue will find a government with an outstretched hand. Those who seek chaos, violence and terrorism will find the full force of law “, assured President Lasso. On Saturday evening, he had ended the state of emergency declared eight days earlier in six of the 24 provinces of the country, the most affected by the demonstrations.
Oil production under threat
Since the protests began on June 13, the violence has left at least six people dead and dozens injured. Quito is largely paralyzed and its access blocked by numerous roadblocks. The demonstrators tried twice, Thursday and Friday, to enter the premises of the National Assembly, from where they were repelled by the police.
Sunday was a calm day, but the leader of the movement promised to continue the mobilization. For its part, the Ministry of Energy warned that oil production in Ecuador was at a ” critical level and would cease within 48 hours if the demonstrations and blockages continue, speaking of a production already reduced today to 50% of normal. ” Vandalism, seizure of wells and road closures have prevented the transport of supplies and diesel needed to maintain operations “, according to the ministry. Oil, extracted in the Amazon provinces, is the country’s main export product.