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Quito, Feb 1 (EFE).- The Waorani Indigenous people called Thursday for Ecuadorians to stand together to pressure the government to respect last year’s referendum that called for an end to oil exploration in the Yasuní National Park, a highly biodiverse area of the Amazon. In a press conference from the Amazon, the Waorani recalled that the majority of Ecuadorians voted in favor of stopping oil exploitation from Block 43-ITT (Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini) in 2023. “We call for the unity of the people, that the consultation of Aug. 20 be respected, that the state, President (Daniel) Noboa, comply with the result,” they said in the press conference, where they warned that they will be watching what happens in the next few months. The gradual withdrawal of all oil extraction operations was supposed to take place within a year of the referendum, but in January Noboa proposed extending the exploitation of Block 43-ITT, one of the country’s most productive oil fields located in the Yasuní National Park in the Amazon, for another year. Noboa made this proposal as an initiative to ensure that the benefits generated by this oil field would not be interrupted while the country is engaged in the “internal armed conflict” that his government declared in early January against organized crime. The president estimates that fighting the criminal gangs that have made Ecuador one of the deadliest countries in the world will cost the state more than a billion dollars. Reserves worth millions Block 43-ITT produces about 58,000 barrels of oil per day, or about 11% of Ecuador’s total oil production, and in 2022 will earned the state $1.2 billion, according to state-owned Petroecuador, which operates the field. “I think a moratorium (on the withdrawl) is a viable way forward. We are at war, we are not in the same situation as two years ago,” said Noboa, who added that the moratorium should be discussed with experts but that he thought that “at least it should be for another year.”
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Businesses and leaders will listen and reply on We Don't Have Time
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Who is he representing because clearly its not the people who elected him?
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It disgusts me to see how quick this leaders forgets how the same voices they are ignoring are the same voices that gave them power!!
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This is insane, leaders must learn to respect the will and the voice of the people especially on such vital issues concerning the environment.
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@joseph_githinji Agree! As a leaders he should listen to the people!
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This show the level of mediocrity in that government. It should know that the voice of people is powerful than their decision.
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It is just insane for Noboa to think he can trample the will of the people as he wishes.
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@esther_wanjiku_785 This is because of the power and influence the fossil fuel holds, which makes them think that they are untouchable!
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@esther_wanjiku_785 His motion cannot be accepted by whatever means.
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People's voices should be respected, especially when it comes to protecting environment.
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@princess_nel_268 People's voices must be heard and protected.
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@princess_nel_268 True! Especially when it comes to climate justice!
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@princess_nel_268 Correct,despite anyone's position there's need to protect mother nature.