Democracy in Ecuador 'in grave danger' due to violent protests, army says

Protesters block a road near El Arbolito Park in Quito on June 21, 2022, the ninth consecutive day of protests against the government.

AFP - VERONICA LOMBEIDA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

In Ecuador, the demonstrations against the government of President Guillermo Lasso entered their second week on Monday, June 20.

Barricades block the main roads of the country.

And tensions are growing.

Thousands of natives gather around the capital, Quito.

They demand, among other things, lower fuel prices.

The standoff is engaged with the conservative head of state who has extended the state of emergency to three new provinces in the country.

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They arrived on foot, on motorbikes and in overloaded trucks… On the eighth day of anti-government protests, thousands of indigenous people began a march towards the center of Quito.

This Tuesday, June 21 in the morning, the Ecuadorian press reports violent incidents between the protesters and the police.

The police and the army erected metal barricades to prevent the natives from advancing towards the historic heart of the capital.

Entrenched in the presidential palace, Guillermo Lasso sent this message on Twitter: “

We have reached out.

We have called for dialogue.

But they don't want peace.

They want chaos.

They want to oust the president

”.

Defense Minister Luis Lara, in a statement alongside representatives of the Armed Forces, said democracy in Ecuador was

"in serious danger from the concerted action of fanatical people who prevent the free movement of the majority Ecuadorians

”.

In Parliament, a majority of deputies believe, on the contrary, that the Conservative president is partly responsible for the explosive situation.

They demand from him a "

serious, clear and honest

" proposal for dialogue and demand mediation under the aegis of the UN, the Red Cross and the Church to find a solution to the crisis.

La Conaie, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, demands not only lower fuel prices, but the end of mining concessions in indigenous territories and control of the prices of agricultural products.

La Conaie has in the past already participated in the revolts that overthrew three presidents between 1997 and 2005. It also led the violent demonstrations of 2019 which left 11 dead.

► To read also: Ecuador: "We will remain mobilized as long as it takes"

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  • Ecuador

  • Guillermo Lasso