In the aftermath of the suspension of the dialogue between the Ecuadorian government and the natives, new demonstrations against the high cost of living took place on Wednesday in Quito, in a still tense context and with no immediate prospect of ending the crisis.
As the mobilization enters its seventeenth day, a few thousand natives marched in the streets of the city center as well as around the presidency, in the historic district of the capital, to demand “the resumption of negotiations “.
In more or less small groups, and without notable incident, the demonstrators walked along the avenues and crossroads of the sector, in the neighborhood of the parliament and around the Ecuadorian Cultural Center, a vast indigenous cultural center which serves as headquarters and living base for the community.
“We are here to resist, not for fun or to be tourists. Our families are waiting for us, we want to go home. But we will stay until the government gives us an answer, ”vociferated Isak, 28, disguised as Captain America, star shield included. “We are poor, we are hungry, we have nothing to lose. »
On Sunday, the government announced a reduction of 10 cents for petrol and diesel, but the demonstrators consider this reduction insufficient and demand a reduction of more than 20%.
In the narrow streets with the elegant buildings of the historic center, then flown over by a helicopter, all the traders hastened to lower their curtains as the procession approached. Since the beginning of the dispute, on June 13, the surroundings of the Carondelet palace, the presidency, have been fortified behind heavy iron gates and police cordons. “We are going to stay here until the President of the Republic restores dialogue,” repeated the demonstrators.
On Tuesday, conservative President Guillermo Lasso suspended the dialogue begun the day before with indigenous representatives, including Leonidas Iza, head of the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (CONAIE, spearhead of the protests), after an attack in the Amazon during which a soldier has died.
“Open Door”
Mr. Lasso posed as a condition for a resumption of discussions the presence of “legitimate representatives” of the natives “open to a real and frank dialogue”.
CONAIE immediately reacted by accusing the government of “authoritarianism” and “lack of will”. “All marches and mobilizations must take place peacefully. Let’s no longer use excuses for not wanting to dialogue, ”supported Leonidas Iza overnight, seeming to adopt a more conciliatory posture.
Six people, five demonstrators and a soldier, have been killed since the protests began. More than 500 people, civilians or members of the security forces, were injured, and there are some 150 arrests, according to observers.
During the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, clashes opposed demonstrators to the police north of Quito, where two police stations were set on fire. Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo denounced the “irrationality” of the protest.