MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lasso insists his impeachment is “unfounded”

Lasso regretted that the impeachment trial has involved “months lost in unproductive fights and clueless investigations.”

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso Tuesday insisted during his appearance before the National Assembly that his impeachment for alleged embezzlement was groundless and that opposition lawmakers “have created a fictitious situation that does not solve the problems of the people or of anyone.”

During his 49-minute speech, the President pointed out that his accusers “have displayed an inventiveness unparalleled 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 of anyone” and “managed to try to put together a moderately plausible plot with events that occurred in 2018 when this government did not even exist.”

According to the opposition, Lasso knew of alleged irregularities in a contract signed by the state-owned company Flota Petrolera del Ecuador (Flopec) and the private firm Amazonas Tanker and looked the other way.

The president's defense argues that the contracts were signed under the previous government of former president Lenín Moreno (2017-2021) and that under Lasso a review was requested from the Comptroller's Office, which “never recommended to terminate the contract with Amazonas Tanker” nor established “any kind of indications of criminal responsibility against any official.” Lasso argued.

“All of this should be more than enough evidence to prove his innocence,” said Lasso before recalling that public companies are autonomous entities and that the president does not interfere or intervene in the signing of contracts or negotiations.

He added that if any official violated the norms he was supposed to comply with, or if he used his position to favor himself or any third parties, he must be held accountable.

Lasso recalled that in 2022 he sent the file on Flopec and Amazonas Tankers to the Attorney General's Office and stressed that “there are no relevant witnesses of anything” or any accusatory report.

The President mentioned the report prepared by the Audit Commission of the Assembly that recommended the shelving of the impeachment trial for lack of evidence, but that failed to be approved and the Plenary decided to continue with the process.

The head of state criticized his accusers for “distorting the true meaning of politics,” and insisted that the political nature of the proceedings “demands the maximum rigor and adherence to the rules.”

“Precisely because the trial is political, here must prevail the will to sustain what is right over what is convenient; what is lasting over what is circumstantial; good over evil; truth over lies. What the country expects from each assembly member is that he/she votes according to the dictates of his/her feelings and conscience. The conscience of the country and not of petty sectarian interests,” Lasso said. He underlined that the issue is not whether the president is saved or not, “but to preserve the functioning” of democracy and regretted that the impeachment trial has involved “months lost in unproductive fights and clueless investigations.”

“Let us put aside our legitimate differences to work together against the mafias that threaten the security of all. There is still time,” he added.