By Kaitlyn Degnan,
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
QUITO, Ecuador — Indigenous groups in Ecuador pretested against President Rafael Correra and his policies on Thursday. Thousands marched to Quito to support demands of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie).
Indigenous activists, doctors, union workers and retirees led protests across Ecuador. Other government opponents joined in the protests as part of a national strike. Protesters blocked several highways around the country with rocks, trees and burning tires.
The marches were one of the largest demonstrations against Correra’s government yet. The protesters called out President Correra for failing to deliver on promised social programs and income equality. Indigenous populations had previously been major supporters of Correra.
President Correra spoke out against the protests in a twitter post: “They’re hurting the country, not the government. We cannot be submitted to the abuse of an absolute minority.” Correa said that that his fiscal reforms would help wealth distribution.
During the protests Correra celebrated the “Festival of Youth and Joy in Independence Plaza in Quito, expressing confidence that the protests would have little effect on his government and policies.
For the most part the protests were peaceful, though a handful of scuffles did break out in some areas. Demonstrators clashed with police using rocks and sticks. There were 47 protesters arrested, mostly in Quito, and 67 police officers were injured throughout the country.
The protesters list of demands include a rollback on proposed changes to the constitution, a halt to mining concessions, and the stoppage of negotiations for free trade with the European Union.
Ecuador has recently experienced and economic slowdown, partially the result of the falloff crude oil prices. Standard & Poor lowered Ecuador’s sovereign credit to B from B+ due to tension between Correra and the people.
For more information, please see:
REUTERS – Ecuadorian union leaders, indigenous block roads in Correra protest – 13 August 2015
EuroNews – Indigenous communities lead anti-government protests in Ecuador – 14 August 2015
PanAm Post – Correra sings while Ecuador erupts in protest – 14 August 2015
Yahoo News – Ecuador protest left 67 police injured, 47 arrested – 14 August 2015
