Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso on Tuesday June 28 suspended dialogue with indigenous leaders leading the movement against the high cost of living, after the death of a soldier in eastern Ecuador, suggesting a prosecution of the arm of iron between the executive and the demonstrators.

A military convoy protecting tank trucks was attacked at dawn by an armed group in the Amazonian part of the country, the army announced in the morning, reporting one soldier killed and twelve wounded in this " terrorist act" committed with firearms and spears.

"We will not sit down again to dialogue with Leonidas Iza who only defends his political interests and not those of his base", declared the conservative head of state in a short speech, denouncing a "criminal attack".

Leonidas Iza is the head of the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie), spearheading the protests that have paralyzed Ecuador for more than two weeks to demand, in particular, a drop in fuel prices.

"Opportunistic"

In addition to the soldier killed, five demonstrators perished in violence with the security forces and more than 500 people, civilians or members of the security forces, were injured.

"The country has witnessed all the efforts we have made to establish a fruitful and sincere dialogue (...). To our indigenous brothers and sisters, you deserve better than an opportunistic leader who deceived you", let go President Lasso.

"We are not going to negotiate with those who hold Ecuador hostage or those who attack our security forces and gamble with the health and lives of Ecuadorians," he added.

"Only when there are legitimate representatives of all the peoples and nationalities of Ecuador, who seek real solutions and are open to real and frank dialogue, will we return to the table of dialogue”, he posed as a condition.

La Conaie immediately reacted by accusing the government of "authoritarianism" and "lack of will".

"We hold Guillermo Lasso responsible for the consequences of his warmongering policy (...) Lasso does not break with Leonidas, he breaks with the people", thundered the organization on Twitter.

That very morning, the government did not show up for the discussions begun the day before in Quito with indigenous representatives, including Léonidas Iza, which are taking place in an annex of the great Catholic basilica in the capital.

"We want peace"

"We are currently at an impasse in this dialogue process, but we are leaving the door open", reacted later the head of Conaie.

"We want peace! Stay united, (...) do not take action," he told several dozen of his supporters gathered in front of the neo-Gothic basilica.

After more than two weeks of blockades and several episodes of violence, including two attempts to intrude protesters into the precincts of Parliament, indigenous representatives and the government delegation were nevertheless expected to move towards a way out of the crisis on Tuesday.

Spear or shield in hand, groups of dozens of protesters were circulating in the capital on Tuesday, around two universities and a cultural center serving as their base, as well as in the Basilica district.

No major incidents or clashes were reported for the day.

The government "does not plan to declare a new state of emergency, the situation is calm," said Interior Minister Patricio Carillo.

Guillermo Lasso, in power since May 2021, is also threatened with dismissal.

The majority but divided parliamentary opposition blames him for the "serious political crisis" that is shaking Ecuador.

The debate on a possible impeachment has resumed in Parliament.

At the end of the debate, Members will have 72 hours to vote.

A majority of 92 votes out of 137 is required to obtain the dismissal.

With AFP

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