Ecuador's President Daniel Novoa suddenly canceled a planned address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday to fly home in the wake of raging forest fires in the capital, Quito.
According to local authorities, the forest fires, which have ravaged around 36,000 hectares, were started by arson. Release Authorities said they were launching an investigation to identify and detain those responsible.
President Noboa was scheduled to deliver his first UN General Assembly address on Wednesday morning when he takes office in November 2023. The Ecuadorian president announced the cancellation of his UN address in a social media post on Tuesday evening.
“I have canceled the tasks I had to fulfill as Head of State at the United Nations. Quito needs all of us. I am returning to lead all efforts against the enemies we face,” President Noboa's message read. “We are facing the worst climate situation in decades and urgent decisions are required at all levels of government. If it is found that this was deliberately caused, those involved will be prosecuted for acts of terrorism.”
“Ecuador: In the face of adversity we will be more determined than ever,” the message concluded.
According to reports, Five Up to 7 forest Simultaneous fires broke out in the northern city of Guapulo, Quito, on Tuesday afternoon and spread rapidly. Spread the word A state of emergency has also been declared in nearby areas and in the city's Guangyultagua Metropolitan Park. Worse The winds spread large clouds of smoke and residue over the capital, affecting air quality, leading Ecuador's Ministry of Education to Hanging Face-to-face classes will be held on Wednesdays.
At the time of writing, local media Reported As of Wednesday morning, more than 100 homes had been evacuated and at least six people were injured.
Quito Mayor Pavel Muñoz said Local media reported on Wednesday that the fire had been contained in some parts of the city's eastern region but was not fully contained.
Mayor Muñoz also confirmed that the fire was arson and said those responsible were “criminals and terrorists.” He added that one child suffered minor burns and two firefighters were injured while trying to put out the blaze. Muñoz said two to four homes were damaged in the fire, but a more detailed investigation is pending.
Ecuador's Environment Minister Inés Manzano echoed Mayor Muñoz's statement, saying: Confirmed According to information provided by Quito's fire department, the massive blaze was started deliberately and affected an area of about 36,600 hectares, Manzano said.
The minister added that rolling blackouts would be suspended in Quito on Tuesday. Ecuador has been hit by a severe energy crisis for months. crisis Drought has eroded power generation capacity, causing losses of up to 14 hrLocal officials say the energy crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of investment and maintenance by successive governments in the country's power grid infrastructure.
Ecuadorian Government Minister Arturo Felix Wong It is called Authorities made phone calls to local residents on Tuesday evening to help identify those responsible for the fire. Interior Minister Monica Palencia said local dispatchers Numbers The government has announced that it will offer a reward for information leading to the location of the suspects and information on the individuals involved.
“If you know who started these fires, please let us know. The Attorney-General's Office has a team that is working with the mayor's office, the prefecture and the government to ensure this is not an isolated incident,” Wong said.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan author documenting life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter. here.
