Quito, Ecuador – Ecuador closed a nongovernment organization focusing on environmental issues Wednesday after accusing it of interfering in political events.
Ecuador’s Interior Ministry said the NGO, known as Fundacion Pachamama, was “affecting the public peace.”
The government alleged Fundacion Pachamama was involved in a disturbance last week involving members of foreign diplomatic delegations during protests against a licensing round for oil properties. President Rafael Correa accused the Fundacion Pachamama and another group, Yasunidos, of attacking Chile’s ambassador in Ecuador, Juan Pablo Lira.
Pachamama officials deny the allegations.
“We are peaceful,” said Joke Baert, a Pachamama spokeswoman. “We defend human rights and we have never promoted or supported violence. The government should carry out a deep investigation.”
Mario Melo, a lawyer for Pachamama, said the NGO is analyzing the government’s decision as well as a response.
Ecuador’s state-run oil company Petroamazonas will begin developing the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini oil block in 2014 and could start production in 2016.
Last June, the Correa administration issued a decree that creates new procedures for NGOs to obtain legal status. The rules require international organizations to undergo a screening process to seek permission to work in Ecuador and grants powers to the government to oversee and dissolve NGOs.
