May 5 – The Oversight Commission of the Ecuadorian Assembly on Saturday disapproved a report that does not recommend the impeachment of President Guillermo Lasso for opposition accusations of alleged embezzlement.
Opposition lawmakers are promoting impeachment hearings against Lasso, alleging that he ignored an alleged embezzlement related to an oil transportation contract between the public company Flopec and a private sector company.
Lasso has denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that the contract was signed in 2018, long before he took office in 2021, and that his administration negotiated profitable contract changes on the recommendations of the country’s comptroller.
Five of the nine commission members voted not to approve the report, which says there are no grounds for Lasso’s trial and eventual dismissal, while the remaining four endorsed the document.
Now, the report will go to the plenary session of the 137-member National Assembly, which will decide whether it is possible to remove Lasso.
92 votes are needed to remove him, and legislators from the party of former president Rafael Correa – himself convicted of corruption – have promised their 47 votes in favor.
Other opposition parties are divided on whether to back Lasso’s removal, while his allies have said they have enough votes to block the motion.
Lasso’s lawyer has said the opposition was unable to establish the alleged loss of funds that would have occurred during his administration in connection with the contract.
Under Ecuador’s constitution, Lasso could call early elections for his position and the National Assembly under certain circumstances rather than face eventual removal. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia)
