*All links lead to posts in Spanish, except where otherwise indicated.

Hundreds of people in several Ecuadorian cities have mobilized in defense of Yasuni National Park, demanding that its crude oil reserves remain beneath the ground.

Protests erupted in the wake of President Rafael Correa's decision this past August 15th to terminate the Yasuni ITT Initiative, in which world powers were asked to contribute economically so that the the Yasuni ecological reserve could be left undisturbed. Correa promised “responsible extraction” in only one tenth of one percent of the Yasuni.

However, the government's promises have not convinced all Ecuadorians, and many have taken to the streets and used social networks in defense of the Yasuni.

Ecuadorian artist Fausto Miño (@faustominoz), who collaborates with the Yasuni ITT Initiative, stressed that none of the artists who have appeared at promotional events for the initiative have done so for personal gain.

Aclaro que ningun Artista ecuatoriano cobro un centavo por defender al #Yasuni. Fue nuestra causa comun y la perdimos. Punto.

— Fausto Miño (@faustominoz) August 21, 2013

I want to make it clear that no Ecuadorian artist has charged a cent to defend the #Yasuni. It was our common cause and we lost it, end of story.

Conectados Loja (@ConectadosLoja) published a photograph of a group of indigenous people who joined a march in support of the Yasuni.

#Loja Grupos de indígenas como de FEUNASSC levantan su voz en contra de la explotación del #Yasuní [en] cc @eluniversocom pic.twitter.com/C373odU5rU

— Conectados | Loja (@ConectadosLoja)  August 27, 2013

#Loja Indigenous groups like FEUNASSC [National General Federation of Rural Social Security Affiliates] are raising their voices against the exploitation of the #Yasuní

From Cuenca, radio station @ondasazuayas announced a vigil for August 21st:

#notoquenelyasuni : por el Yasuní: hoy, 21 de agosto, nueva velada a las 18h00 en el Parque Calderón, Cuenca pic.twitter.com/de0nUUEbdS

— ONDAS AZUAYAS (@ondasazuayas) August 21, 2013

#notoquenelyasuni : in support of the Yasuni: today, August 21st, a new vigil is set for 6:00 pm in Calderón Park, Cuenca

Carolina Iza ♥ JH (@CaritoIza) stated that even Guayaquil wants to protect the Yasuni.

Guayaquil también respira de la Amazonía #notoquenelyasuni pic.twitter.com/XXpJLLIBtS

— Carolina Iza ♥ JH (@CaritoIza) August 27, 2013

Here in Guayaquil, we breathe from the Amazon, too. #notoquenelyasuni pic.twitter.com/XXpJLLIBtS

Nature lover Majito Lasso (@majitolasso) published a photo of a vigil in Quito:

Plaza Grande! Velada por el Yasuní! A pesar de las amenazas aquí está la gente! #notoquenelyasuni pic.twitter.com/H4cc01OtF3

— Majito Lasso (@majitolasso) August 23, 2013

Independence Square! Vigil for the Yasuni! Despite all the threats, people are here!

Producer Michel Kammoun (@MichelKammoun) shared a photograph of police officers who erected barricades to block protesters from entering Independence Square on August 27th.

Policías crean barreras para q no lleguen a la plaza grande #marcha #notoquenelyasuni @ECTV_Noticias @elcomerciocom pic.twitter.com/AFbKnXNa6n — Michel Kammoun (@MichelKammoun) August 27, 2013

Police officers build barriers to prevent people from entering the main plaza #marcha #notoquenelyasuni @ECTV_Noticias @elcomerciocom

Finally, announcer Marcos Torres (@MarcosT182) wrote:

Si hay consulta popular sobre el #notoquenelyasuni #ITT yo votaré para q el petróleo se quede en el suelo así de simple digan lo que digan

— Marcos Torres (@MarcosT182) August 27, 2013

If they held a referendum on #notoquenelyasuni #ITT I'd vote to keep the oil in the ground. It's that simple, no matter what they may say.