Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency in an Amazonian province on November 30 to quell protests that have slashed the nation's oil output by 20 per cent.
Demanding that the government spend more revenue from oil on infrastructure projects in their oil-rich province, Orellana, demonstrators blocked roads leading to key oil installations for four days. Correa termed the protests as "terrorist action" and said the government has already met their demands. Correa sacked the interior minister for failing to contain the protests. The head of the state oil company has also been sacked. Oil accounts for 40 per cent of Ecuador's export earnings, but protests in the oil-rich Amazon often hit production and supply.
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