Ecuador abolishes the state of emergency after the protests

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, decided this Sunday to repeal the state of emergency that he approved in response to the acts of violence registered by the national strike, whose mobilizations against the cost of living and the government’s economic policies have now totaled thirteen days in a row. The measure, which again allows freedom of assembly and association in public spaces, affects the provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Pastaza and Imbabura.

The strike began on June 13 with a series of demands regarding the conservative policies of the Lasso Executive. The president expressed his willingness to dialogue, but also denounced an attempted “coup d’état” to remove him from power.

The decision took place at the same time that Congress postponed a day, from Saturday to this Sunday, the debate on Lasso’s impeachment after deliberating almost eight hours on his responsibility in the “internal commotion”, which left thirteen days of bloody indigenous protests. Some thirty congressmen spoke out for and against Lasso in a virtual debate at the request of the opposition, which gathered the 47 signatures necessary to request the president’s departure.

“Internal Commotion”

The Union for Hope bench, related to former socialist president Rafael Correa (2007-2017), accused Lasso of the “serious political crisis and internal commotion” that has shaken the country for two weeks with almost daily demonstrations and blockades. “We are going to early elections, let Lasso go to his house,” cried Assemblywoman Pierina Correa, sister of the former president.

The tension that exists lately in Ecuador worries even Pope Francis, who in the last hours urged to activate a dialogue channel. “I am following with concern what is happening there, I encourage all parties to abandon violence and extreme positions. Only through dialogue can social peace be found, with special attention to the poorest populations, but always respecting the rights of all”, the Pontiff pointed out.