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May 17, 2023

Ecuador: Guillermo Lasso Dissolves National Assembly to Block Impeachment Push
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Ecuador's conservative President Guillermo Lasso has dissolved the
opposition-led National Assembly, blocking efforts by lawmakers to
impeach him amid accusations of corruption and embezzlement in a scheme
involving a state-owned oil transportation company. The constitutional
power, which had never been used in Ecuador before, allows Lasso to rule
by decree until new elections can be held. Lasso made the move a day
after Ecuador's National Assembly held its first hearing, where Lasso
addressed lawmakers and denied involvement in the scheme, which
opponents of Lasso say cost Ecuador millions in losses


.