ECUADORIAN activists warned that they will press for President Daniel Noboa’s dismissal if he does not fulfill what was promised for the Amazon during his elections.
The group of indigenous, environmental, and human rights representatives warned Noboa that if he did not stop oil exploration in block 43 of the Yasuni National Park, pressure would be put on him for impeachment.
During the first presidential debate and his electoral campaign, the then-candidate Daniel Noboa was in favor of ending the exploration of the Yasuní, stating that he would vote in favor of this issue in the popular consultation and that the interruption of the exploration of crude oil in that sector of the country would not pose a problem.
In August 2023, Ecuadorians voted to halt all future oil drilling in the said park, with over 5.2 million voting in favor of crude oil remaining in the subsoil indefinitely there.
The resumption of oil drilling in the said area would violate this referendum.
Following the August 20 elections last year, 58.95% of voters voted in favor of ceasing oil exploration in block 43 of Yasuní, according to the National Electoral Council of Ecuador.
In an interview with Teleamazonas, Noboa said that the creation of a moratorium is a viable path, as Ecuador is currently at war.
Ecuadorian president proposes moratorium postponing decision to close Amazon oil drilling
Noboa proposed a moratorium of at least a year of the implementation of the Yasuni referendum while his government is currently resolving economic woes to finance the measures in the Ecuador’s war on criminal gangs, which was decreed since January 9 of this year.
“I think the moratorium is a viable path. The country is at war right now, we are not in the same situation as 2 years ago. [We] first need to stop the violence, A form of moratorium in which we can maintain a certain income until that time passes, which is a key moment, because if not, If we fight for it and don’t finance it, we will lose the country. At least (the moratorium) should be for another year,” said Pres. Daniel Noboa, Ecuador.
Located in the eastern Amazon of Ecuador, Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, has been at the center of environmental and human rights issues for decades.
