At least 15 have died after an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 shook northern Peru and southern Ecuador at 12.11 pm on Saturday, it was reported. The epicenter was said to be in Ecuadorian territory, 85 kilometers northeast of Zarumilla, in the Tumbes region, and 78 kilometers deep, according to the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP).
Ecuador expects to overcome the diplomatic crisis with Argentina soon after both nations withdrew their ambassadors amid questioning from Quito regarding the escape of a former minister convicted of corruption who was taking refuge in Argentina's diplomatic residence in Ecuador.
Ecuador's parliamentary committee investigating a corruption scandal approved by 6 votes to 1 to move on with the impeachment of President Guillermo Lasso, who has been linked to drug trafficking and possible crimes against the security of the State and the public administration, it was reported in Quito.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso Monday admitted defeat in Sunday's referendum through which he intended to garner enough consensus for the remainder of his term after 18 months in office. Citizens were asked, among other issues, to decide whether national offenders could be extradited abroad to face drug-trafficking charges. Lasso favored the idea, a slim majority did not with 47% of the votes counted.
Ecuador's National Electoral Council (CNE) announced Sunday that turnout for the national referendum called by President Guillermo Lasso seeking endorsement after 18 months in office had reached 80.74 %. Ecuadorians were also voting to elect the members of the Council of Citizen Participation and Social Control (CPCCS), in addition to municipal authorities.
The Ecuadorian Government of President Guillermo Lasso will seek Sunday to revamp an administration with waning popularity through a referendum whereby the citizenry is to allegedly set the guidelines for the future steps of the conservative head of state.
Presidents Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador and Gustavo Petro of Colombia Tuesday launched the XI Binational Cabinet between the two countries to jointly develop a work agenda to strengthen relations between the two nations, according to a statement from Quito.
The Argentine-born Pope Francis welcomed Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso at the Vatican during the weekend to discuss indigenous issues and other matters concerning South America. Last week, the Catholic leader also held a meeting with Paraguay's Mario Abdo Benítez.
Less than a week before the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) Summit is to be held in Buenos Aires, the President of Ecuador announced he shall not be attending the event hosted by the country holding the pro-tempore presidency of the bloc.
Ecuador has reached a free trade agreement with China which is expected to increase the country's exports by a billion US dollars as well as boost the growth in the industrial sector, it was announced.