Reuters AlertNet Lite - Ecuador orders emergency to quell oil protest

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Ecuador orders emergency to quell oil protest

30 Nov 2007 01:18:56 GMT
Source: Reuters

QUITO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Thursday declared an Amazonian province under a state of emergency to quell a protest that has slashed the state's oil output by 20 percent, said a presidential spokeswoman.

He also removed Interior Minister Gustavo Larrea, a close adviser, for not stamping out the protest of villagers in the oil-rich province of Orellana, the spokeswoman said. They are demanding more funding for infrastructure projects.

The state of emergency bans public gatherings and marches and sets curfews.

Earlier on Thursday, Correa replaced the head of the state's oil company, Petroecuador, and called on a high-level government commission to negotiate with protesters.

Petroecuador's output is down 20 percent to around 139,000 barrels per day this week due to the four-day protest, which has blocked roads leading to key oil installations.

Ecuador, South America's fifth largest oil producer, repeatedly suffers from demonstrations that curtail output in the oil-rich Amazon region. (Reporting by Carlos Andrade; editing by Todd Eastham)

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Last updated:Fri Nov 30 01:18:45 2007