
Government ‘Reform’ In Ecuador: Nature And Human Rights Protections Take A Backseat
On 24 July 2025, the Ecuadorian government merged government ministries as part of its broader strategy to reduce public spending, increase government efficiency and revive Ecuador’s economy.The Ministry of the Environment was merged into the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and the Ministry of Women and Human Rights was dismantled, paving the way for unchecked environmental destruction and human rights abuses, particularly for Indigenous Peoples through the expansion of extractive industries.The current government’s approach to revitalising the national economy is underpinned by an international finance landscape that pits private finance flows against nature and climate.