Court ends Abad’s effort to replace Noboa; Pipeline back in operation; Fuel spill threatens Coca Codo hydro; Residents capture thief, burn his motorcycle

The Contentious Electoral Tribunal has upheld an earlier court ruling suspending the political rights of Vice President Verónica Abad. Although Abad is allowed to file an appeal, it is only for the purpose of clarifying the TCE verdict, not overturning it.

The suspension is the result of insults Abad directed at Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld. “The suspension of rights for a period of two years is warranted as a result of the political gender violence inflicted by Abad on the Foreign Minister,” TCE Judge Guillermo Ortega wrote in the court’s verdict. “Her denigrating and derogatory comments and the use of gender stereotypes were clearly intended to undermine the image and reputation of the minister.”

Vice President Veronica Abad

In addition to the suspension of rights, the court fined Abad $14,100 and ordered her to make a public apology to Sommerfeld within 30 days.

The verdict effectively ends Abad’s efforts to assume presidential duties while President Daniel Noboa campaigns for reelection.

Pipeline oil is flowing again
Petroecuador said Monday that it has restored the flow of oil through the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) to the Esmeraldas port and refinery. The national oil company said the repair to the pipeline is a “temporary fix” and a study is being conducted to reroute it in the area where the rupture occurred in Esmeraldas Province.

Despite the resumption of pipeline operation, the Energy Ministry said the environmental emergency and the force majeure declaration remain in force as oil spill clean-up continues. More than 90 kilometers of the Esmeraldas River and its tributaries have been affected by the spill, as well as parts of the coastline and a nature preserve at the mouth of the river.

Petroecuador estimates the equivalent of 25,000 barrels of oil flowed into the waterways following the rupture, but private environmental engineers say the amount was closer to 35,000 barrels.

The pipeline suffered a rupture on March 13 near Quinindé. The government initially reported the breach was caused by a landslide but claimed four days later that it was the result of sabotage. Officials, however, have offered no evidence to support the sabotage claim.

Gasoline spill threatens Coca Codo hydro plant
A leak in a Napo Province gasoline pipeline could affect power generation at the giant Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant. Although Petroecuador said Monday it believes it has plugged the leak it added that new leaks are possible on the Shushufindi-Quito pipeline. “We have identified weak links and crews are on the scene checking the integrity of the pipeline,” Petroecuador said in a bulletin.

The Energy Ministry reported Friday that the leak may have been the result of sabotage, but provided no evidence and Petroecuador did not mention the possibility in its statement.

On Saturday, the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (Celec) said it is prepared to suspend electric generation at Coca Codo Sinclair if necessary, but said there is adequate reserve capacity in the country to avoid blackouts.

Residents capture thief, burn his motorcycle
Following the robbery of Cuenca woman Sunday night, residents of the Punta Corral barrio set up a roadblock and captured one of the alleged thieves and burned his motorcycle. A second thief escaped but has been identified by his partner.

According to police, residents were notified of the assault through a neighborhood alert system and quickly erected a metal barrier across the road leading into Punta Corral. The assailant was caught, stripped and beaten before police arrived to rescue him.