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Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso defended his innocence Tuesday before an opposition-dominated Congress. On the first day of a political trial that could lead to his dismissal, the head of state denied being guilty of embezzlement of public funds. He chose irony and accusation to attack his adversaries for an hour.
With Eric Samson, RFI correspondent in Ecuador
On the first day of his impeachment trial, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso welcomed the “vivid” and “picturesque” imagination of his opponents, whose absurd accusations, he said, made it easier for him to defend himself.
“They have shown an unparalleled inventiveness in the history of the Republic, they have stretched the limits of human imagination, they have created a fictitious situation that does not solve the problems of the people or anyone else,” he said.
In power since May 2021, the ruler is accused of alleged embezzlement (embezzlement) in the management of the state shipping company Flota Petrolera Ecuatoriana (Flopec). According to correísmo (by former president Rafael Correa), with 49 seats, the president decided to continue with a contract that was signed before he took office, despite reports that it was harmful to the State.
The contract for the transportation of crude oil with the international group Amazonas Tanker left losses of more than 6 million dollars. The president, who has not been prosecuted for the alleged embezzlement in justice, assured that in 2022 he asked the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the case.
“Until now it has been clear that there was no contract signing in my government, nor was there a report from the Comptroller’s Office recommending terminating said contract,” the president said.
Guillermo Lasso also found accents to the Emile Zola against the opposition deputies. “I accuse them because they never tried to get closer to the truth throughout this trial, if not merely to power,” he denounced.
“I am very sorry that from the fragile house of cards that they built for five months, they had no choice but to settle for the weakest card,” said the 67-year-old president, before leaving the Assembly supported by his supporters.
Before congress meets in three days for a final vote without debate, the 137 deputies now have 10 minutes each to speak. The Government is closely monitoring these statements and hopes to convince a sufficient number of them to avoid censorship. If not, the president has a card in hand: decree what is known here as “cross death” and call new general elections.
