Ecuadorian leader to take refuge in Brazil after protests

BRAZIL has granted asylum to former Ecuador President Lucio Gutierrez, who took refuge in the Brazilian Embassy yesterday after being removed from office by Congress amid street protests calling for his ouster for abuse of power.

Mr Gutierrez, who was in the Brazilian Embassy, was granted asylum on Wednesday, Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Florencia told Radio Caracol in Bogota, Colombia.

"We are taking the necessary steps with the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry to finalise procedures to obtain his safe conduct and his transfer to Brazil," Mr Florencia said, adding that he hoped it would occur as soon as possible.