LatinNews Daily - 22 March 2023

* Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, has announced that it has declared force majeure at its 16-67, 43-ITT and 61 oilfields in response to community protests targeting the company’s facilities. A Petroecuador statement said that the company will seek the support of the armed forces in restoring order at the affected oilfields, all of which are in the Amazonian province of Orellana. The statement said that protesters have “prevented normal hydrocarbon activities from being carried out, drastically affecting production [and] state revenue”. Another Petroecuador oilfield, Edén Yuturi, was placed under force majeure on 16 March, also due to the same protests, which are based on allegations that the company has failed to meet its socioeconomic and environmental responsibilities to the local population.