Ecuador president Lasso impeachment trial starts

Quito, May 16 (EFE).- An impeachment trial against Ecuador president Guillermo Lasso began on Tuesday in the National Assembly, which is controlled by the opposition.

Lasso, a conservative, is facing allegations of embezzlement, which he has denied.

Specifically, he is accused of having been aware of irregularities in contracts signed by state-owned energy firm Flopec and a private tanker company and of failing to intervene.

Lasso’s accusers will have two hours to lay out their case, before the president will be given the floor for three hours.

A debate will then be held, with a vote due within 72 hours of its conclusion.

Interior minister Henry Cucalón reiterated in a television appearance on Tuesday morning that Lasso would appear before the Assembly and “will speak to the country through the Legislature”.

He insisted that the president has “not committed any embezzlement”, saying his accusers “have not presented any proof,” Cucalon said to Gamavisión.

This is the second time impeachment proceedings have been initiated against Lasso since he came to power in May 2021. EFE

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