Nemonte Nenquimo, a 36-year-old Waorani leader from Ecuador, is fighting to protect the Amazon rainforest and her people's way of life from threats such as oil drilling and climate change. The Waorani territory, rich in biodiversity, faces encroachment from oil companies and infrastructure development. Nenquimo has led legal battles against oil drilling, winning a lawsuit in 2019 that suspended the auctioning of their land for oil extraction. Recognized internationally for her efforts, she emphasizes the importance of ancestral knowledge and the guidance of elder women in her community. Nenquimo's work includes founding the Ceibo Alliance and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental conservation. Despite the challenges posed by modernization and the pandemic, the Waorani have maintained their traditions and knowledge, which Nenquimo is determined to preserve and pass on to future generations.

Ecuador has experienced its worst earthquake in decades, with the death toll rising to at least 413. The 7.8 magnitude quake caused extensive damage, particularly in the coastal region, destroying buildings, roads, and affecting the power supply. Survivors are dealing with the aftermath, with many sleeping in the streets or makeshift shelters. President Rafael Correa has warned that the death toll is expected to rise. The disaster has also impacted the country's economy, which is already suffering from low oil prices. Rescue efforts are being complicated by damaged infrastructure, and international aid is being mobilized to assist. The quake has led to prison breaks and concerns about aftershocks. Ecuador's response includes activating credit from lenders and receiving international support from countries like Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico.

The article reports on the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Ecuador, with the death toll surpassing 350 and more than 2,000 people injured. The hardest-hit area is the coastal region, where access is difficult due to closed roads. President Rafael Correa is mentioned visiting the affected area. The journalist, who has personal ties to the region, describes the local response, including the organization of aid and the establishment of donation points for the provinces of Manabí, Esmeraldas, and Guayas. Concerns are raised about the efficiency of aid delivery and the speed of the ongoing rescue efforts, especially in a country facing political polarization and economic challenges exacerbated by falling oil prices.

Pope Francis, during his visit to Ecuador, emphasized the importance of protecting the Amazon rain forest and its indigenous inhabitants. He cautioned against the short-term exploitation of natural resources, a statement that indirectly criticized President Rafael Correa's policies on expanding oil exploration in the Ecuadorean Amazon. The Pope highlighted the responsibility to be guardians of creation and to consider the welfare of society and future generations. His remarks were made in the presence of civil society leaders and indigenous representatives who oppose the government's environmental policies.

Ecuador is deliberating over granting political asylum to Edward Snowden, who faces espionage charges in the US. Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino is in talks with Russia, where Snowden currently is. The decision is expected to be in Snowden's favor, potentially exacerbating already tense US-Ecuador relations, which have been strained since President Rafael Correa's election in 2007. Correa's administration has previously challenged US influence, notably by ending a US army base contract and expelling a US ambassador following Wikileaks revelations. The situation is further complicated by Julian Assange's asylum in Ecuador's London embassy. The Snowden case is seen as politically charged, with Ecuador asserting its sovereignty and potentially aligning with a leftist bloc formerly led by Hugo Chavez.