Thousands of members of Ecuador’s indigenous peoples maintain pressure on the government of Guillermo Lasso. This is the 10th day of protests in the capital Quito, partly paralyzed by protesters. They are protesting against the rise in prices, the granting of mining concessions in indigenous territories, the lack of control of the prices of agricultural products and are demanding more social aid.
The clashes between the 10,000 demonstrators and the police are increasingly violent. In a week and a half, the demonstrations have left at least two dead and dozens injured. Violence has therefore taken precedence over the peaceful demonstrations of the beginning of last week. The situation is extremely tense especially since the death of a member of the Quechua people, south of Quito.
The spokesman of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Andres Tapia is indignant at the defense of the police. ” They claim he died while handling an explosive device. But on the videos, it is clear that he was hit in the head by a tear gas canister! “, he explains.
A situation that is also bubbling in the capital. Police were deployed to places where protesters gathered every day to try to stem the violence. ” We sent armed forces to the house of culture, where the demonstrators were meeting, to guarantee security. In addition to this, President Guillermo Lasso has declared a state of emergency in the capital and five other provinces to protect the inhabitants from violence. “, detailed Ana Belén Cordero, deputy of the presidential party.
Measures that do not pass on the side of the demonstrators. The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador accuses the government of having “blood on their hands”. To be able to negotiate, the demonstrators demand the end of the state of emergency and the demilitarization of these places of assembly like the house of culture.