Ecuadoran President Lasso Faces Impeachment Proceedings.

Lawmakers in Ecuador have voted to open an impeachment trial against President Guillermo Lasso, who is accused of embezzlement. Lasso is the first president to be sent to such proceedings since the country’s return to democracy in 1979. He has denied wrongdoing, and a legislative oversight commission has recommended against impeachment. Lasso’s trial is expected to open on May 20. If he lacks the votes to stay in office, he will call for a “muerte cruzada” — “crossed death” — a constitutional mechanism that allows him to dissolve the assembly and bring a new presidential election within six months.