Ecuador questions Laso’s defense argument in the political trial

After the conclusion of the Andean president’s speech, a wave of criticism unleashed from that digital platform as experts and citizens claimed that Laso had taken advantage of the time allowed by the National Assembly’s plenary session, to highlight what he considers to be the achievements of his administration.

This was reported by Ecuadorian journalist Fabricio Villa, who stated on his Twitter account that Laso appeared to have presented the report to the nation in his address to the legislature.

Similarly, sociologist Carol Murillo told the ruler of South America that his neoliberal philosophy excluded human life.

“Your buy-back of the presidency cannot legitimize trading with unscrupulous legislators,” the professor at the Central University of Ecuador said in a tweet.

Similarly, Paulina Ricalde, a social scientist from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, wondered that President Lasso spoke for less than an hour in an impeachment process that gave him as many as three.

He did not disclose evidence – he said – he accused the opponents and spoke of achievements in déjà vu in any interview. He said it did not live up to the historical moment.

Lasso began his defense speech on Tuesday by attacking assembly members who have questioned the judicial process and accusing them of abandoning their role as lawmakers.

Once again, the president pleaded not guilty and stated that what happened with the public company Flota Petrolera Aquaturiana (Flopec) happened between 2018 and 2020, three years before he assumed the presidency.

After Lasso’s participation ended, the session was suspended until 3:00 pm (local time), at which time the 137 members of the Assembly who were entitled to speak for 10 minutes each would begin their intervention.

On the outskirts of the Legislative Complex, many protesters support the governor, though there were reports of pressure from the government to compel government officials to attend the rally.

Meanwhile, representatives of social organizations also called for taking to the streets at noon to demand the president’s impeachment, which more than 80 percent of the population rejected, according to polls.

jha/nta