“I would like to pay tribute to the MPs who have campaigned so vigorously for this groundless trial. You have shown a level of inventiveness that is unparalleled in the history of the republic,” the conservative president said in parliament on Tuesday. “You have pushed the limits of human imagination. You have created a fictitious situation that does not solve the problems of the people or the people.”
Lasso is accused of knowing about unfavorable contracts between the state oil transport company Flota Petrolera Ecuatoriana and the private shipping company Amazonas Tankers, but of not having terminated them after taking office. This is said to have cost the Ecuadorian state several million US dollars. The head of state rejected the allegations. “I reproach you for abandoning your role as legislator,” he said at the debate in Parliament. “I reproach you for never trying to approach truth, only power.”
After the end of the debate, MPs are expected to vote on Lasso’s impeachment within five days. A two-thirds majority is required to remove the President. Meanwhile, the head of state could dissolve parliament at any time, govern by decree for up to six months and then call new elections.
