CEOAFRICA gathered that the President of Ecuador has threatened to resign if National Assembly pushes further for the decriminalization of abortion as part of reform form penal code saying that the constitution pledges to defend life from the moment of conception.

 He said members of his own governing alliance have been pushing for the change. "They can do whatever they want. I will never approve the decriminalisation of abortion," he said.

 Abortion is totally banned or highly restricted in most Latin American countries.

The Assembly is now on the second and final stage of debates into changes to the Penal Code. Among the proposals being examined are tougher prison sentences, of up to 40 years, and specific legislation to deal with crimes against women.