Ecuador: "We will remain mobilized for as long as it takes"
Anti-government demonstrations organized mainly by indigenous organizations, in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, June 16, 2022. AP - Dolores Ochoa
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
While the protest movement does not weaken, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) announces the continuation of actions throughout the country.
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Although President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of exception in three provinces to contain the demonstrations, the Ecuadorians did not take off.
On the contrary, the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, the largest organization of indigenous peoples in the country, extended its road blockades to 14 of the country's 24 provinces, paralyzing roads in the provinces of Pichinca (where the capital Quito), Imbabura and Cotopaxi.
Defying the government, the latter calls for lower fuel prices, but also denounces the lack of jobs and the granting of mining concessions in indigenous territories.
La Conaie also asked the National Assembly on Saturday to repeal the state of emergency so as "
not to be complicit in the repression against the people
", she said on Twitter.
La Conaie, who contributed to the overthrow of three Ecuadorian presidents between 1997 and 2005 and had already led the violent demonstrations of 2019, intends to continue the movement until his demands are met, explains one of the spokespersons of the organization, Andres Tapia.
Indigenous demonstrators block a street during protests against the economic policies of Guillermo Lasso's government, in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, June 16, 2022. AP - Dolores Ochoa
“
The situation does not change, we continue to paralyze the departments, and we maintain our action programs in all territories, including in the capital.
And even if the state of exception has been decreed, we also continue to plan demonstrations
, ”he told RFI.
movement of anger
“
We will remain mobilized for as long as necessary.
We are on the 6th day of blockage and the movement is not slowing down, on the contrary.
We have more and more people and organizations with us.
So, since the demands of Conaie do not get a response, the mobilization will continue without interruption
, ”assures Andres Tapia.
Since the start of the movement on Monday June 13, clashes with security forces have left at least 83 injured and 40 people arrested, according to authorities and indigenous organizations.
Friday evening the conservative president Guillermo Lasso declared that he was committed “
to defending the country
”.
"
This forces me to declare a state of emergency in Pichincha, Imbabura and Cotopaxi from midnight tonight
" (05:00 GMT Saturday), he announced in a televised address.
The state of emergency makes it possible to mobilize the armed forces to maintain order, suspend the rights of citizens and establish curfews.
► To read also:
Ecuador: the president declares a state of emergency, the protest continues
(and with AFP)
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Ecuador
Guillermo Lasso