Ecuador has been shaken by protests since October 3, when the government introduced several liberal reforms following an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The aim is to reduce Ecuador's deficit and foreign debt. Above all, fuel subsidies, which have raised prices in the country by up to 120 percent, have created dissatisfaction and fueled the protests in the country - the largest in ten years.

Thrown fire bombs at police

Missing protesters burned car tires and blocked the roads to Quito on Monday night. Public buildings were vandalized and some protesters threw fire bombs and stones at police.

Some 50 police officers are being held hostage across the country, the BBC writes.

On Wednesday, more than 20,000 people are expected to arrive in the capital to show their displeasure to the government, according to a representative of the indigenous peoples organization Conaie.

Presidential Palace vacated

Monday night's clashes came after the energy ministry in the country announced that work on three oil fields was halted because of the crowds. The shutdown affected twelve percent of Ecuador's oil production, AFP writes.

The presidential palace in Quito has been evacuated and government officials have moved the capital and traveled 40 miles southwest to the city of Guayaquil, reports the Spanish news agency EFE.

So far, one person has been killed and 77 people injured in the demonstrations. The majority of the injured are people from the security forces, according to authorities.

477 people have been detained.