Ecuador is set to offer numerous blocks of land for oil exploration, valued at over $47 billion, which has sparked significant opposition from seven Indigenous groups in the Amazon. These groups assert that 18 of the proposed blocks overlap with their ancestral territories and that they were not adequately consulted about the plans. Government officials defend the initiative, stating it is essential for modernizing the oil sector, which is crucial for Ecuador's economy as it represents the country's top export. The situation is further complicated by a state of emergency and ongoing national strikes related to fuel prices and the government's failure to adhere to a referendum that limits drilling in Yasuní National Park.