Ecuador marks a month of protests led by the indigenous movement against the measures adopted by President Daniel Noboa, with no signs of rapprochement between the Government and the groups that joined the uprising.
Quito.- Led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), the demonstration began on September 22, rejecting the elimination of the diesel subsidy, which raised the price from 1.80 dollars to 2.80 dollars per gallon.
As the weeks passed, the demands expanded in response to the communities' economic and social situation, such as the demand for a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12 percent and the release of those detained during protests.
The demonstrations are located in Imbabura, in the central highlands of the province; however, protests have also taken place in other parts of the country, many of which have been repressed by the police forces under the pretext of a state of emergency that prevents roadblocks.
Human rights organizations informed that the protests left three dead, two of them from gunshot, nearly 300 injured citizens, and 118 were arrested, including 12 accused of terrorism for the attack on a police station in Otavalo, where vehicles were set on fire.
The Government refuses to back down on the diesel decision, a measure that, according to CONAIE and other groups, is in line with the plan agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and will increase the cost of living in the country.
Following a meeting between Interior Minister John Reimberg and indigenous leaders from Imbabura last week, the Government announced the end of the strike and the establishment of negotiation tables to address the indigenous movement's demands. (PL)