Ecuador demonstrators block roads in protest over gasoline prices

Ecuador demonstrators blocked road to protest against the economic policies of conservative Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso, days after he raised gasoline prices.

Lasso, an ex-banker who took office in May, last week scrapped planned incremental rises in gasoline charges, meant to eventually align with international costs, following pressure by indigenous and other organizations.

He opted instead to raise the price of gasoline extra, a higher octane gasoline that is Ecuador’s most-used fuel, to a fixed $2.55 a gallon and diesel to $1.90 a gallon.

However, unions and other groups want Lasso to freeze prices at lower rates and exempt sectors hit hard by COVID-19.

According to the Defense Minister, Luis Hernandez, “Five police officers were injured and two members of the armed forces were being held by a community in northern Quito, but were unharmed.

“Thirty-seven people were detained for blocking roads,” he added.

The Ecuador Confederation of Indigenous Nations said demonstrators had been injured but did not give a figure.

Interior Minister Alexandra Vela said marches were peaceful except for a few incidents in the afternoon and said the government was open to dialogue.

Gasoline costs have risen significantly since Lasso’s predecessor, Lenin Moreno, began monthly increases in May 2020.

“We don’t agree that the measures implemented because of the crisis should fall on workers and the middle class,” said university professor Victor Sanchez.

“We didn’t come to destabilize, we came to make economic demands of the government,” CONAIE president Leonidas Iza stated.

Police used tear gas in the capital amid small clashes with protesters, while officers on horseback blocked the entrance to the plaza that had been the marchers’ destination.

READ ALSO: Myanmar to release 5,600 held over anti-junta protests

Kamila/Reuters