Ecuador: popular mobilization around the rise in fuel prices

Police face demonstrators in Quito on October 26, 2021. AFP - CRISTINA VEGA RHOR

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Indigenous people, workers' unions, students and teachers mobilized, this Tuesday, October 26, against the economic policy of the Ecuadorian government and in particular against the rise in fuel prices, which was suspended a few days ago by President Guillermo Lasso.

Clashes erupted in the capital and in the Andean region.

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With our correspondent in Quito,

Éric Samson

After a quiet start to the protest in the historic center of Quito, incidents erupted when members of a Guevarista group tried to force the roadblocks protecting the entrances to the presidential palace.

In Santo Domingo square, they threw cobblestones at the police who responded with tear gas.

Angel Sánchez, president of the Unitary Workers Front confirmed the main demand of the demonstrators: “

 We demand the waiver of the increase in the price of fuels which affects the Ecuadorian people.

This government says to be that of reunion and although it meets with the people 

”.

Stones, trees and trucks

The natives, meanwhile, used stones, trees and trucks to block the main roads in the Andean region, especially in Salcedo and between Cayambe and Ibarra.

The President of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, Leonidas Iza, welcomed this: “

 The people rose up.

In each province, there are at least 5 or 6 blocking points on the roads 

”.

Government spokesman Carlos Jijón downplayed the scale of the demonstrations: " 

About 6 roads were closed across the country during this mostly rural and low-intensity strike 

."

Protesters said the movement would continue until fuel prices were lowered.

See also: Ecuador: President Lasso calls for the capital to be defended against any attempted coup

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  • Ecuador

  • Social issues

  • Oil

  • Energies