Ecuadorian authorities reported a new fuel leak in the Amazon region, calling it sabotage shortly after a previous spill contaminated water supplies. The uncertainty surrounding the impact on the Coca River and hydroelectric plant operations has raised alarms. Energy Minister has condemned the suspected sabotage, amid an approaching presidential election.
On March 23, 2025, the Ecuadorian government reported a new fuel leak in an Amazon pipeline, labeling the incident as an “attack” and attributing it to sabotage. This announcement followed a previous spill that severely impacted clean drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents.
The Energy Ministry did not disclose the size of the new leak or its potential impact on the nearby Coca River, which is crucial for the national hydroelectric plant. An oil leak was detected in Napo province, fueling concerns over local environmental safety.
In response to the earlier spill, the state-owned oil company had already declared an emergency as the incident contaminated multiple rivers and rendered clean water supplies scarce. Authorities have similarly classified this earlier event as sabotage.
The Ministry of Energy is deliberating whether to temporarily shut down the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric power plant, which generates 1,100 MW for the national grid, as a precaution to safeguard its infrastructure. However, it reassured that power supplies would remain stable across the country.
In 2024, Ecuador experienced significant blackouts, lasting up to 14 hours daily, due to an unprecedented drought that affected hydroelectric reservoir levels. The prior leak, believed to be caused by a landslide, released vast amounts of oil into waterways, further complicating the country’s environmental challenges.
Energy Minister Ines Manzano condemned the repeated acts of sabotage on oil infrastructure. As President Daniel Noboa prepares for an election run-off against leftist opposition leader Luisa Gonzalez, these issues pose significant challenges to his administration.
The recent fuel leaks in Ecuador’s Amazon region have raised serious concerns regarding environmental safety and public health. The government has attributed both incidents to sabotage, necessitating emergency measures and potential adjustments to hydroelectric operations. With a presidential election approaching, these issues may impact the current administration and its response to ongoing crises affecting infrastructure and resource availability.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
