Ecuador's Petroamazonas suspends operations at three oilfields amid protests -energy ministry

Ecuadoran state-run oil company Petroamazonas EP suspended operations at three oil fields in the Amazon region on Monday, the country's energy ministry said, as protests against austerity measures convulse the country.

The suspension took place after the fields were "taken" by "individuals not affiliated with the operation," the ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter, without providing any details.

The ministry said it had asked the armed forces to increase protection to "safeguard the Ecuadoran state's resources."