Ecuador Plans Gradual Shutdown of Amazon Oil Block

Ecuador's government plans to shut down the 43-ITT oil block in the Amazon over five years and five months. This follows a vote by Ecuadoreans to protect the Yasuni reserve, with the constitutional court allowing one year for infrastructure removal.

Ecuador's government is set to shut down the 43-ITT oil block in the Amazon over a period of five years and five months, according to a document presented to the country's constitutional court. The decision comes from the need to protect the Yasuni reserve.

Over a year ago, a majority of Ecuadoreans voted in favor of shutting down the oil block to safeguard the Yasuni reserve. Following this, the top court granted one year for the removal of oil infrastructure in the region.

The government's gradual shutdown plan aims to reconcile environmental protections with economic and logistical challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)