(Nation World News Spanish) — Ecuador’s President, Guillermo Lasso, in a message to the country this Friday night, announced his decision to declare a state of exception “due to the serious internal uproar” caused by conflict and the closure of highways in the provinces of Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Imbabura. Those who have been registered in the national mobilization that began on Monday and campaigned by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) against the government.
“Last night I called for talks and the response was more violence. There is no intention of finding a solution. They say they fight for the cost of living, but have closed the roads leading to shortages, rising prices and speculation. They say they want to improve health services, but they block the path of ambulances, putting our sick brothers and sisters in danger of death, ”Lasso said during his speech.
The president insisted that the acts of violence since Monday have forced him to declare a state of emergency “to protect the capital and protect the country”.
“From here, I promise to defend my capital, defend the country. There are good people who are moving to demand just causes. There is a demand that we have not been able to attend yet,” the President said.
The decree included the mobilization of various institutions, the deployment of coordinated operations between the police and the armed forces, crowd limits, curfews that restrict freedom of movement in the Metropolitan District of Quito from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. To protect civil defense and public order.
The President’s announcement was accompanied by a list of decisions on economic matters, which he called the “difficult situation of many families”.
The announced measures are as follows:
- Increase the Human Development Bonus from US$50 to US$55.
- Declare the public health system in an emergency.
- Double the budget for cultural education.
- Subsidy up to 50% of the price of urea fertilizer for small and medium producers.
- Forgiveness of all overdue credits up to US$3,000 in “Bain Ecuador”.
- Agricultural loan of up to US$5,000 at 1% and 30-year term.
- Do not increase the price of diesel, gas and additional petrol and ecopaise.
- Do not promote privatization of public services and strategic sectors.
Finally, in his message, Lasso invited civil society, doctors, artisans, farmers, carriers, universities and social organizations to communicate.
CONAIE, which has been leading a national mobilization in some provinces since Monday, demands that the government reduce fuel prices, address unemployment, control prices of agricultural products and combat crime, among other demands. Do.
The CONAIE leadership insisted this entire Friday that it would continue the strike. Its president, Leonidas Iza, called for a peaceful demonstration and assured that there was no vandalism in their mobilization.
On Thursday, Iza said she would not accept a dialogue where there is no result and assured indigenous bases to Quito would be coordinated within 48 hours if her requests were not responded to.
This Friday, the fifth day of protests in many provinces, like other days, was marked by road closures, especially in the provinces of the Sierras, and as the night wore on, mobilization took place in the historic center of Quito, which was in conflict. ended. Plaza de Santo Domingo between police and protesters.
