Protests as Ecuador approves oil drilling in Amazon
The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has announced that he is authorising oil exploration in a pristine part of the Amazon rainforest.
President Correa launched a scheme to protect the Yasuni National Park when he took office in 2007, but it was dependent on international donations.
In a televised address, Mr Correa said the scheme had failed to attract funding so he was closing it down.
Opponents of the plan gathered in the capital Quite to protest against the decision.
16 Aug 2013
- From the section Latin America & Caribbean