MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

OAS wants Ecuador to offer Lasso a due process

Lasso is going through a moment of political weakness after losing the Feb. 5 referendum

As Ecuador's Parliament prepares to cross-examine President Guillermo Lasso Tuesday during his impeachment trial, the Organization of American States (OAS) Monday called for all guarantees of due process to be offered to the head of state.

In a statement, the OAS General Secretariat stressed that the principle that should govern the process is “respect for the constitutional mandates” that govern when the popular vote elects a president. It also insisted that presidential terms and deadlines must be complied with without pressure or threats.

The OAS also requested all those involved in the impeachment trial in the Ecuadorian National Assembly to act “with the utmost responsibility and political and institutional restraint.”

Lasso will appear Tuesday to defend himself against an accusation of alleged embezzlement presented by the main opposition parties.

According to the opposition, the president knew about alleged irregularities in a contract signed by the state-owned company Flota Petrolera del Ecuador (Flopec) and the private company Amazonas Tanker and did nothing to avoid greater damages to the State.

Lasso's defense argues that the contracts were signed under the previous administration of former President Lenín Moreno (2017-2021) and that, under the current president, a review was requested from the Comptroller's Office.

Last Tuesday, with 88 votes in favor, 23 against, and 5 abstentions, the Legislative branch agreed to move on to the last phase of the impeachment proceedings, in which Lasso will be questioned.

The measure comes at a time of great weakness for Lasso after his heavy defeat in the Feb. 5 referendum whereby he intended to reform the Constitution.