Political crisis in Ecuador escalates

Over a week after Ecuadorians voted to have a constitutional assembly, it would seem like all hell is about to break loose in Ecuador. The country faces uncertainty after several turbulent events over the past 24 hours:

• First, the country’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that 57 opposition legislators who were fired last month should be allowed to return to their posts.
• In retaliation, Congress (with a majority of government-friendly parliamentarians) voted to fire all the judges on the Tribunal.
• Additionally, President Rafael Correa ordered police to block the now reinstated legislators from returning to their seats, while federal prosecutor Elsa Moreno ordered the arrest of the recalled congressmen on charges of sedition.
• The latest development is that 6 of the 57 legislators fled to neighboring Colombia, yet they will not plead for political asylum.
  

Ecuador’s recent political history has been full of turmoil; the country has had 11 presidents over the past decade (including Correa).

Update #1: Correa has asked prosecutors to drop the arrest warrant against the recalled legislators. (Link via Bloomberg).

Update #2: 6 of the 57 congressmen have asked Colombia to grant them political asylum. (Link via BBC News).

Links- Sydney Morning Herald, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, Guardian UK, El Comercio, La Hora

Image- Al Jazeera (Opposition lawmakers try to barge their way into Ecuador’s Congress building last month)