QUITO, June 27, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Ecuador's energy ministry warned Sunday that

oil production had reached a "critical" level and could be halted entirely
within 48 hours if protests and roadblocks continue in the crisis-wracked
South American country.

Nearly two weeks of Indigenous-led protests against rising fuel prices and
living costs have crippled transportation in Ecuador, with roadblocks set up
in 19 of the oil-rich country's 24 provinces.

"Oil production is at a critical level," the ministry said in a statement.

"If this situation continues, the country's oil production will be suspended
in less than 48 hours as vandalism, the seizure of oil wells and road
closures have prevented the transport of equipment and diesel needed to keep
operations going."

"Today, the figures show a decrease of more than 50 percent" in production,
which was at roughly 520,000 barrels per day before the protests, it said.

Ecuador's economy is highly dependent on oil revenues, with 65 percent of
output exported in the first four months of 2022.

An estimated 14,000 protesters are taking part in the nationwide
demonstrations, most of them in Quito.

Shortages are already being reported in the capital, where prices have
soared.

Violence between police and demonstrators has reportedly left five dead,
while about 500 people have been injured, according to various sources.

The National Assembly will eventually vote on whether to oust President
Guillermo Lasso over what opposition lawmakers say is his role in the
protests, with a no-confidence hearing resuming for a second day late Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Production Minister Julio Jose Prado said that public-
private economic losses from the protests totaled $500 million.

"Each additional day of downtime represents $40 to $50 million lost," he said
on Sunday.

Overall losses since the protests began include 8.5 million liters of milk
worth $13 million as well as $90 million in agricultural goods and livestock.

The tourism industry has seen cancellations rise to 80 percent, with losses
amounting to at least $50 million.

Additionally, "in the flower farm sector, 12 days of shutdown resulted in $30
million in losses and damage to trucks and farms," Prado said.