Ecuador Begins Impeachment Hearing vs. President Guillermo Lasso

Ecuador, the latest Latin American nation grappling with conflicting constitutional forces, witnessed a tense standoff between conservative President Guillermo Lasso and the opposition-led legislature on Tuesday, exacerbating the country's political divisions, according to AP.

As politicians presented what they considered evidence of wrongdoing, the opposition leader's confidence in gathering the required 92 votes to remove President Lasso gradually waned.

However, even if Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso's defense proves ineffective during the session, the Ecuadorian constitution grants him the power to dissolve the legislature and govern by decree.

Irrespective of the outcome of this week's power struggle, it will undoubtedly contribute to the prevailing political instability that has long plagued Ecuador.

The country has been grappling with challenges, including a recent surge in drug-related violence characterized by several prison massacres.

This combination of factors has heightened the nation's sense of uncertainty and turmoil.

While Ecuador has often been viewed as relatively stable compared to its neighboring countries, such as Colombia and Peru, there is growing discontent among its citizens over the perceived lack of government action in addressing critical issues like unemployment, violence, gang extortion, and petty crime.

Laura Lizarazo, a senior analyst specializing in Ecuador and Colombia at the global consultancy firm Control Risks, said that many Ecuadorians believe the government needs to be more connected to their urgent needs.

"We anticipate that the progressive deterioration in terms of security that Ecuador has experienced in the last year will persist," she said.

Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso Could Call for 'Two-Way Death'

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador may evade impeachment proceedings by invoking a constitutional provision known as the "two-way death," Reuters reports.

This peculiar provision allows Ecuadorian presidents to call for early elections for the presidency and the National Assembly when the legislature hinders the executive branch from fulfilling its duties.

Juan Pablo Ortiz, the legal secretary of the presidency, stated on Monday that the possibility of utilizing this option had been consistently under consideration and is available for the president to decide.

If Lasso were to be removed from office, Vice President Alfredo Borrero would assume the role of the country's leader.

Alternatively, Lasso can dissolve the assembly, granting him the authority to govern by decree until new elections are scheduled.

During the ongoing developments, numerous supporters of the Ecuadorian president took to the streets surrounding the meeting to display their unwavering support for the embattled leader.

In a significant move, Ecuador's largest indigenous organization, CONAIE, expressed its backing for the measure to remove Lasso.

In a statement, they asserted that under Guillermo Lasso's leadership, Ecuador's future is plagued by fear and uncertainty.

'Two-Way Death' May Spark Protest

Experts are expressing concerns about the potential consequences of invoking the "two-way death" provision, citing fears of widespread demonstrations like those witnessed last year in response to rising living costs. With an already weakened economy and a surge in drug-related homicides, further political instability would deeply unsettle the country.

The opposition is confident in its ability to impeach Lasso through a two-thirds supermajority. This means gathering 92 votes out of the total 137 in the chamber is necessary to achieve a supermajority or a two-thirds majority.

Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso, a former banker, narrowly escaped impeachment last year with the support of only 80 lawmakers.

Locals in the streets of Quito expressed divided views on the potential impeachment of Lasso, with some voicing their support while others expressed opposition.

In speaking to Al Jazeera, Carla Araujo expressed her belief that Congress represented the people. She criticized the regime's alleged detrimental impact on health and education institutions.

On the other hand, some argued that Lasso should be allowed to complete his term in office. Fidel Lopez, a resident of Quito, stated, "The people, 18 million Ecuadorians, voted, and he obtained a majority. Let him continue with his work."

The Organization of American States weighed in on Monday, urging Ecuadorian lawmakers to ensure justice and adhere to due process standards throughout the impeachment proceedings.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Impeachment trial to begin against Ecuador's president - From Al Jazeera English