Ecuador's oil production has plunged from 200,000 barrels a day to barely 10,000 barrels since the strike began, state oil firm Petroecuador said Friday. Energy Minister Ivan Rodriguez estimated oil production losses at 100 million dollars, adding that it would take 30 to 60 days to restore previous pumping levels once the unrest is brought under control. Some observers alleged that former president Lucio Gutierrez, who was ousted in April, was behind the unrest. Gutierrez's party, the Patriotic Society, issued a statement Friday denying any role in the unrest in the provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana. The party does not back "chaos or destabilizing attempts", even though it does not recognize the government of Palacio as legitimate, the statement said. --SPA 1406 Local Time 1106 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/284288