Ecuador’s President Lasso declares state of exception over protests

• Ecuador’s President, Guillermo Lasso, has declared a state of exception in three regions.
• Indigenous groups have been protesting against the government’s economic policies.
• Curfews will be in effect in Quito from 22:00 local time (03:00 GMT) until 05:00 on Saturday.

QUITO – Ecuador’s President, Guillermo Lasso, has proclaimed a state of exception in three of the country’s regions, in an effort to quell indigenous groups’ protests against the government’s economic policies.

The measure will endure for 30 days in the provinces of Imbabura, Cotopaxi, and Pichincha – which encompass the capital city of Quito – where protests have been more violent, with attacks on flower farms and infrastructure damage, as well as detentions of police personnel.

Curfews will be in effect in Quito from 22:00 local time (03:00 GMT) until 05:00 on Saturday, according to Lasso, who announced the order late Friday. Gatherings will be prohibited throughout the day in the affected provinces. He didn’t specify how long the measures will be in effect.

“I called for conversation, and the response was greater violence; there is no intention of finding solutions,” Lasso stated on TV.

On Monday, indigenous organisations began blocking roads around the country in protest of Lasso’s social and economic policies, seeking fuel price freezes, a halt to new mining and oil projects, and more time for small farmers to repay their bank loans.

Lasso will expand assistance to the most vulnerable sectors and would subsidise fertiliser expenses for small and medium farmers by 50%, while the state bank will forgive up to $3,000 in unpaid debts.

The prices of diesel, gasoline, and gas will not rise, according to Lasso.

Indigenous groups have continued to block roadways connecting Quito to the country’s north and south, while students have backed the protests.

On social media, Leonidas Iza, president of Ecuador’s indigenous CONAIE organisation, said Lasso’s suggestions largely fixed the difficulties, but he doubted they would be followed.

“We are preparing to mobilise and resist these plans in Quito as soon as possible,” he stated.

The demonstrations have cost the country’s productive sector $50 million and resulted in product and gasoline shortages.