“The democracy of Ecuador is at serious risk due to the concerted action of exalted people who prevent the free movement of the majority of Ecuadorians“, said the official in statements in which he appeared flanked by the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Lara said from the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, in Quito, that “The Armed Forces will not allow attempts to break the constitutional order or any action against democracy and the laws of the republic”.
On Monday, thousands of indigenous people arrived in the Ecuadorian capital as part of their indefinite protests that began nine days ago against the government of the conservative president, William Lassoto which they demand a reduction of the fuel price.
summoned by the opposition Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), which participated in revolts that overthrew three presidents between 1997 and 2005, the native peoples have been closing roads in most of the 24 provinces and clashing with the security forces during demonstrations in several cities.
Shortly before the communication from the Armed Forces, President Lasso denounced that the indigenous movement wants to remove him from power in Ecuador.
“We have called for dialogue, but they do not want peace, they seek chaos. They want to throw out the president. I’m here, I don’t intend to escape“, he says in a video posted on Twitter.
In a second video, he details that his government responded to each of the demands presented by Conaie. “We all want dialogue, except a few violent ones. We must sit down at a table and look for solutions together,” he says.
The protests are multiplying throughout Ecuador and their epicenter has moved from the south to Quito itself, to which thousands of indigenous people are flocking in support of the ten-point platform demanded by Conaie.
Last week, just one day after the protest began, the leader of the indigenous movement, Leonidas Izawas arrested by an elite group and was detained for 24 hours without knowing where.
On Monday, the National Assembly (parliament, opposition) voted by 81 of the 137 votes for a resolution demanding that Guillermo Lasso make a “serious, clear and honest” proposal for dialogue. In addition, he called organizations such as the UN, the Red Cross, universities and the Catholic Church to a working table to propose solution mechanisms.
The gallon of diesel rose 90% (to 1.90 dollars) and that of common gasoline by 46% (to 2.55) in almost a year in Ecuador. Since last October prices have been frozen by social pressure.
The Conaie since 2021, claims to lower them to 1.50 and 2.10 dollars, respectively.
In one week, the demonstrations have left 63 agents injured and another 21 detained and released, according to the Police. The Alliance of Organizations for Human Rights reported in turn 79 detainees, 55 civilians injured.
Source: Ambito
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