Ecuador Emergency  

The people of another Latin American country look like they want a bit more control over their oil reserves. I'm amazed US bases haven't been set up there already (though there are plenty of troops in neighbouring Colombia apparently - there for the "war on drugs" of course).

Ecuador's government will declare a state of emergency in two Amazon provinces where protests have cut crude oil production by state-owned Petroecuador to 29,400 barrels per day from the usual 201,000 bpd, officials said on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Mauricio Gandara said the state of emergency will be declared by President Alfredo Palacio. Under a state of emergency the rights to free association and expression could be restricted and security forces would be allowed to retake control of oil fields.

Petroecuador's crude production has fallen to 29,400 bpd since residents of Sucumbios and Orellana provinces began invading oil camps and blocking highways on Monday, a company official said.

The protesters are demanding foreign oil companies operating in the region provide financing for infrastructure projects and more job opportunities.