Ecuador to Stop Pumping Oil in 48 Hours, Energy Ministry Warns
- Vandalism during anti-government protests hammer production
- Ecuador’s oil production down 50% in two weeks of protests
Demonstrators near the National Assembly building during a protest in Quito on June 26.
Photographer: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images
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Ecuador’s oil production is likely to halt completely within 48 hours if road blocks and vandalizing of oil wells continue, the Energy Ministry said in an emailed statement.
Anti-government protests launched June 13 risk shutting down the former OPEC member’s oil industry “due to the acts of vandalism, takeover of wells and closing of roads, supplies and diesel necessary to maintain operations has not been possible.”