What is happening in Ecuador and why is the indigenous protest climbing with the blockade of roads?

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The military were held since Sunday, after strong clashes with protesters in which an indigenous identified as died as Efrain fuerez, 46 years. There were also at least 12 wounded soldiers.

According to the Conaie and human rights organizations, Fuerez received bullet impacts that would have been fired by members of the Armed Forces.

When Fuerez He was injured on the floor, another protester tried to help him, but he was wildly beaten by the military. The fact was recorded on video and its dissemination caused outrage in Ecuadorian society and gave a new impulse to the protest.

The Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation by “Illegitimate use of force”, while the Conaie denounced a “state crime” committed under the orders of Noboa.

He National strike and road blockade convened by the Conaie It began on September 22, after the president Noboa will announce the Diesel elimination. Thus, its price went from $ 1.80 to $ 2.80 per gallon. Protesters demand that this measure be repealed.

In addition, with the passing of the days other demands have been added, such as the beginning of a political judgment In the National Assembly against Interior Ministers John Reimberg and defense Gian Carlo Loffredo for the performance of police and military in the repression of protests.

Noboa has said that he prefers to “die” rather than revoke the elimination of diesel subsidy. Has also pointed out that The manifestations are “terrorist acts disguised as social protest.”

Even Noboa said that among the protesters there are infiltrates of mafias such as the Venezuelan criminal band Aragua train, although he has not shown evidence of his complaint.

Until Wednesday, ECU 911 reported 15 road closures in the provinces of Imbabura, Pichincha, Bolívar, Sucumbíos, Cotopaxi, Cañar and Chimborazo.

“There is a gradual escalation of the demonstration”

Mauricio Alarcón-SalvadorDemocracy activist and human rights defender in Ecuadorhe said to Commerce that the dialogue between the government and the protesters is blocked.

“There is a stubbornness on both sides to sit down to talk. On the part of the government, somewhat incomprehensible, by the protesters, with a little more support in the sense that days ago we had to regret the death due to the murder by the public force of a person who manifested himself in one of the roads of the province of Imbabura”, Alarcón-Salvador held.

“Considering what has happened in the last hours, when we even have blockages in the access areas to the capital of the country, I would dare to say that There is a gradual escalation of the demonstration“he remarked.

For its part, the political analyst Julio Echeverría indicated a Commerce that the conflict has extended too much, generating economic wear in local communities and a growing social stress.

In addition, he said that every time they join More actors with radical demandswhich increases the tension in Ecuador.

“Although the government is firm in not going back with the elimination of diesel subsidy, conflict, which tends to increase, forces to consider dialogue as possible output “, Echeverría said.

For Echeverría, as a consequence of this conflict, The figure of President Noboa is weakening and is losing acceptance policy.

“The elimination of diesel sbsidio is an extremely complicated chapter for any government in Ecuador. It is a fairly sensitive element because many economies still live on the advantages that this subsidy can offer them. Not only are peasant economies ”, Echeverría said.

He said that although the government raises Compensation and support policies For vulnerable sectors, the hardness with which it faces social movements breaks the possibility of immediate agreementswhich aggravates the crisis.

He also remarked that a social awareness that perceives that Maintaining the subsidy is unsustainable, And even benefits illicit economies related to smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal mining.

The Constituent Assembly

Under this context of social seizure, President Noboa promotes a constituent assembly To leave behind the 2008 Constitution, approved during the government of Rafael Correa. The first step will be the referendum Scheduled for November 16.

Mauricio Alarcón-Salvador He said that the crisis is affecting the image, credibility and confidence in the government of Noboathat In four months of management he has already seen a fall in his figures in the surveys.

“Of Face to a referendum on November 16, the political cost can be undoubtedly high. And the way in which crises have been handled in recent times do not favor the government ”he said.

Echeverría remarked that The Constituent responds to a growing demand to reform the 2008 Constitutionwhich could be seen as a political program of Correism and that puts many obstacles to the current development model, favors the insecurity and reproduction of transnational crime.

Considered that at the juncture of unemployment, the Constituent could function as a political exhaust valve that transfer the tension to the institutional and electoral field.

However, Echeverría also indicated that current polarization and conflict make it difficult for a Assembly Constituent I can Build real consensus. “The current reality is of a polarization and a conflict of difficult solution in the short term, and the call of this assembly is very short term.”

He added that there is a risk that, instead of a renewed and functional constitution, the process derives in More instability and political blockade.

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