Reuters leads on Ecuador vote that will hit Latam oil, mining and debt interests

Reuters was way ahead of competitors with news that Ecuador’s leftist president, Rafael Correa, won an easy victory in a referendum vote on Sept 28 on constitutional reforms giving him broad new powers over the economy. Reuters was first with exit polls and official results, again when Correa claimed victory and again with his first policy statements after the vote. Correa’s push for new powers has worried investors holding Ecuadorian debt as well as foreign oil firms operating in the country and mining firms hoping to set up business there. Ecuador’s debt prices jumped up and down on Correa’s comments throughout the referendum campaign and Reuters has consistently led the way. Recent wins included being first with the resignation of the finance minister, the expulsion of Brazilian construction company Odebrecht and Correa’s threats to file international lawsuits over Ecuador’s foreign debt.