However, Iza conditioned the dialogue to “lower repressive actions, repeal the state of exception and demilitarization“of a park in Quito called El Arbolito where indigenous protesters gather.
Six provinces of Ecuador are under a state of exception, by virtue of which the Executive mobilized the military and implemented a seven-hour night curfew.
Iza felt that the government’s response to the protests “has only succeeded in exacerbating tempers of the population and generate serious conflict escalations that already have two victims,” reported the AFP news agency.
President Lasso released a letter yesterday through the social network Twitter in which he agreed to participate in “a frank and respectful dialogue process with Conaie and other civil organizations,” something that parliament had urged him to do.
The ruler had been open to negotiations since the protests broke out on June 13, with blockades on several routes in the country, where indigenous people represent one million among 17.7 million inhabitants.
Some 10,000 indigenous people entered Quito on Monday to reiterate their demand that fuel prices be reduced.
In almost a year, diesel rose 90% (to $1.90) and regular gasoline 46% (to $2.55). Since last October prices have been frozen by social pressure.
Conaie claims to lower them to 1.50 and 2.10 dollars, respectively.
The indigenous people also demand that the Executive control the prices of agricultural products to improve their family economies, employment and more budget for health and education, in addition to a one-year moratorium on the payment of credits with the bank and suspension of mining concessions in their territories.
Yesterday, an indigenous protester died in clashes with the security forces, bringing the number of deaths in the protests to two.
A group of human rights organizations said the protester died in the Amazon town of Puyo, in southeastern Ecuador.
The police indicated that “it is presumed that the person died as a result of handling an explosive device.”
Meanwhile, on Monday night a young man had died after falling into a ravine during the protests, and the Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation for alleged homicide.
The Armed Forces said yesterday that the demonstrations were a “serious risk” for democracy and that they will not allow the constitutional order in Ecuador to be broken.
Source: Ambito
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