Reactions on favor and against the exploitation of the Yasuni

After the announcement made by the Presidency of the Republic, to close the so-called Yasuni-ITT initiative, which begun in 2007, looking for international funding to leave the oil underground. However, yesterday it was announced globally, the authorization for oil exploitation in the Yasuni National Park.

The decision generated different opinions from ruling officials, opposition and above all, local and foreign environmentalists.

Since yesterday afternoon, dozens of environmentalists in the Ecuadorian capital mobilized to express their disagreement to the possibility of exploitation of the Yasuni, hours before the President approved this decree. The demonstrators shouted slogans in favor of the Amazon park accompanied with banners with images and messages in defense of the environment.

“We do not move and do not move us, because we have to save the Yasuni” were some of the expressions shouted by the demonstrators, who also called for a referendum to decide the future of the Yasuni-ITT.

Ricardo Buitron, a volunteer of Ecological Action, called for respect for the Constitution and to keep the intangible area of the park undeveloped  and to protect the un-contacted tribes living in the area.

On the other hand, supporters of the ruling movement encouraged and supported the decree at the Plaza Grande outside The presidential palace.

“I am against the exploitation of the Yasuni, but also see that in the country there is no money and we have to accept what the president says,” said one protester.

Through social networks also underwent an intense debate between the two positions. The hashtag #NoToquenElYasuni was trend in the country before, during and after the national chain, while the hashtag #TeApoyamosRafael had previously turned into a trend.

On Facebook, several pages were created to support the conservation of the Yasuni park, with an important host in several profiles.