The scenario worsens day after day with an indivisible exit in the immediate term. Violence escalates with a current balance of two deaths -and the accusation of a third-, confrontations, fires of police vehicles and the brief disappearance of 18 officers. At the diplomatic level, the government does not want conditions, the indigenous people disbelieve the word of the president and the calls for dialogue are postponed. 11 days of mobilizations in a militarized Quito disguised as a battlefield.
These days, Ecuador is the epicenter of conflict in Latin America after the marches promoted by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) lasted 11 days, gradually increasing their aggressiveness.
The seriousness of the situation caught the attention of the international community, causing even the European Union and the United Nations to make themselves available to carry out a negotiating table to end the crisis.
Last Wednesday, a proposal for dialogue, whose conditions did not satisfy any of the parties, was postponed and gave rise to more days of mobilizations throughout the country.
The situation in Quito, the main space for indigenous protest, finds the government house completely reinforced, militarized streets and combat passages between civilians and security forces.
The Administration of Guillermo Lasso decided to implement a state of emergency in six provinces a few days ago (Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Pichincha – where Quito is -, Chimborazo, Tungurahua and the Amazonian Pastaza), but the protesters defy government orders and move from anyway in the nooks and crannies of the cities.
The desire of the indigenous people who promoted the protests to which student movements, peasants and unions have been partially added, is that policies be enacted that aim to lower the cost of living in Ecuador.
Going into detail, The range of demands includes the control and reduction of fuel prices, in the elements of the basic basket, avoiding labor flexibility, guaranteeing the security of the Amazon region in the face of privatization advances in mining and oilamong other issues.
While they also claim toan immediate repeal of the curfews, the removal of the police from the streets and the liberation of the House of Culture to be able to hold independent assemblies.
On the government side, they see an obvious intention to overthrow President Lasso, who has barely been in power for a year and was mostly focused on the fight against the coronavirus, to the point that Defense Minister Luis Lara said that Conaie puts at “serious risk” to democracy.
It was Lasso himself who accused the indigenous organization, which participated in the presidential resignations in 1997 and 2005, of trying to “throw out the president.”
Repression, deaths, kidnappings and fires in a declared combat between civilians and police
The disparity between the protesters’ sticks against the weapons and tear gas of the security forces is evident at each intersection, but that does not discourage the protesters from lashing out harshly.
With a current balance of two deaths -three, according to Conaie-, the Minister of the Interior, Patricio Carrillo, warned last Wednesday that 18 vehicles of a police unit were burned and 18 agents were missing in the city of Puyo (state of paste).
Hours later, the police officers were found in perfect condition, including two who were held by residents of the area. However, this episode registered a new level of violence.
Figures from the National Police indicate that the balance of damage amounted to 114 injured agents, dozens of patrol cars and seven motorcycles destroyed; and another 46 vehicles with minor damage.
no room for dialogue
The tense moment that falls in Quito led to the satiety of the residents of the capital, who went out to make a cacerolazo on Wednesday asking that the violence be transferred to dialogue at a negotiating table.
The promoter was Mayor Santiago Guarderas, one of the officials who hammered home the idea of establishing talks to end the street conflict. He even offered himself as a mediator.
Along with the Mayor, social organizations and the Episcopal Conference were also willing to mediate between the sides. This added to the technical support made available by the European Union and the United Nations.
On Wednesday, Lasso accepted the call for dialogue and summoned the leader of the Conaie, Leónidas Iza, but the conclaves did not take place and were left for an indivisible future.
The indigenous referent claims not to trust the word of the head of state, with whom he had meetings in other circumstances and they were not productive. In addition, to sit down he wants the state of emergency to end.
I appreciate the support provided by all those who seek the common good and peace. These days have been decisive for the country. Seeing Ecuadorians defend democracy, their jobs and their families shows us that #EcuadorWantsPeace. pic.twitter.com/Cqw1UXnpUM
— Guillermo Lasso (@LassoGuillermo) June 23, 2022
The Minister of Government, Francisco Jiménez, questioned that Iza intends to impose conditions “putting at risk the tranquility of those who want to live, work and progress in unity.”
“Dialogue does not admit conditions, we have urgent national problems to solve,” he said.
While he expressed that “violence is not the answer” and accused that “it got out of hand” for the indigenous community. “There are people who are causing chaos and destruction,” she added.
As if more additions were needed, President Lasso tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, the Presidency’s Communication Secretariat notified in a statement.
Waiting for Iza to change her mind about approaching a dialogue table, the president will be isolated, complying with medical protocols at the Carondelet Palace, the Ecuadorian government headquarters.
With EFE and AFP
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