This article certainly does not help. Geez What is wrong with those people?

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Socialism + environmentalism is an economically lethal combination.

  Personally, I don't think anyone's paying this guy.  He's simply following his convictions as an advocate journalist.  I think these people really believe that eco-tourism will carry the day.  After all, who wants to pass an ugly open pit mine on your way to visit the quaint native village?  That just doesn't look good in the brochures.

 If I were an Ecuadorian politician, I'd be pounding the table about how Peru is leaving us in the dust.  I expect that theme will surface eventually, given the simmering resentment over the failed border war in 95.  That's gotta stick in the military's craw, not to mention they have economic interests of their own in oil and mining - something not often mentioned, but which could become a significant factor down the road.

Still, everything I see confirms what I've read about the ungovernable nature of Ecuador.  I suppose if I'd done my homework I'd never have bought ARU in the first place, so I can hardly complain.  Nonetheless, I have no intention to continue investing in Ecuador.  My mind is made up at this point.  Once ARU is sold, I'm gone.