Ecuador's 'Eco-Friendly' Constitution Faces 'Trumpian' Resource Thirst
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is, according to The Guardian, unleashing a 'Trumpian agenda' to unravel the country's unique constitution, which recognizes the 'rights of nature,' in favor of mining interests. This 'intimidation' mirrors a long-standing tradition: powerful nations and corporations have consistently undermined Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protections globally when
resources are at stake. Whether it's the US funding coups to secure banana and oil interests for decades, or multi-national corporations lobbying for weaker regulations from the Arctic to the Amazon, the playbook for 'resource colonialism' is well-worn. One might wonder if the 'trumpian' label conveniently sidesteps decades of similar interventions by 'democratic' governments, all in service of
what the US calls 'national interest,' which often translates to corporate resource extraction. How many 'eco-friendly' constitutions stand a chance against the global appetite for raw materials, especially when leaders are incentivized to comply? It appears 'rights of nature' are only recognized until they interfere with quarterly reports.