The temporary suspension came from the National Assembly (Parliament), whose speaker, Viviana Veloz, also urged Arrobo to go to the legislative plenary and defend herself.
The former minister released a letter on her social networks saying she would not attend the Assembly this Wednesday to face the impeachment against her.
“It is not lack of arguments that deters me, but the fear of facing devastating reprisals,” she said in the letter read today in the parliamentary plenary.
According to Arrobo, if she publicly shows her conversations with the president, Daniel Noboa, she could prove that she warned the president about the seriousness of the energy crisis and how she insisted on making it public so that the citizens would be prevented.
She maintained that the impeachment trial comes at a time when her appearance “would only serve the electoral interests of the various political forces” , adding that she will not risk her life, her freedom and the safety of her family to satisfy interests other than the needs of the country.
Veloz asserted that the Assembly will summon Arrobo again and give her all the facilities and guarantees, so that she can attend and provide explanations.
“If she is in possession of these chats that involve the president and they would reveal the negligence with which they have treated this energy issue, the correct thing is for her to attend this plenary session and be able to demonstrate all the warnings she gave to the president,” the speaker added.
Arrobo, who was removed from office in April 2024 after five months in office, was accused by Noboa of alleged sabotage in the midst of a declaration of an electrical emergency and is facing impeachment in the Assembly for alleged breach of duty.
Ecuador is experiencing an energy crisis that the Executive attributes to the worst drought in the last 60 years and which has led to blackouts of up to 14 hours a day.
Experts have identified the origin of the energy emergency in the lack of investment and foresight of the authorities, who did not take measures in response to reports that predicted the drought.
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