The social situation in Ecuador remains very tense amid strong protests—led by Indigenous collectives—against the elimination of the diesel subsidy ordered by the head of the Carondelet Palace. This is a measure that two past administrations tried, unsuccessfully, bowing their heads before the Indigenous social onslaught. Noboa, by contrast, has persisted for more than a week on this course, which is tied to a comprehensive austerity plan, in part mandated by the IMF in exchange for its injection of fresh funds.
The government claims that 17 soldiers were kidnapped by Indigenous collectives, but the leadership of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities rejects that point. The mobilizations have included road blockades, and it is obvious that violent events have taken place. The European Union ambassador in Quito expressed her support for the government plan and joined a humanitarian caravan heading to Imbabura province, the hottest spot regarding this issue.
“I, like other ambassadors, accepted the invitation to be part of this convoy. We understand that it is an effort being made by the national government to supply Imbabura province with everything necessary,” said the diplomat, who mentioned that there were “some stone blows against the car” in which she was traveling. The United Nations, however, offers a more favorable assessment of the Indigenous position. “People have the right to defend human rights, and the State must refrain from any retaliation against them for exercising it,” stated Mary Lawlor, the global body’s rapporteur on the human rights situation.
Each side in the conflict suggests that there are infiltrators among the demonstrators: the government speaks of terrorists, while the opposition points to government agents seeking to damage the image of the protests. Thus, so far, neither side shows signs of compromise. Carondelet maintains that the positive results of eliminating the subsidy will be transferred to the most vulnerable. Although this is acknowledged in the IMF agreement, it doesn’t seem so clear to me, nor obviously to the Indigenous population.
Perú
Another place where social tension is very high at the moment is Peru, where the so-called “Generation Z” continues to lead large mobilizations against the much-debated and widely execrated government of Dina Boluarte, although the legislative power has also been targeted. The critical issues on the agenda of the mobilized young students and workers include the pension system, corruption, violence—extortion, murders—and organized crime.
Over the weekend, 24 injuries were reported, including two journalists and a 14-year-old teenager. “We denounce the violence exercised by the [National Police] through the indiscriminate use of tear gas bombs and tactical lasers against the mobilizing population,” stressed the National Human Rights Coordinator. Nevertheless, security forces have also taken their hits amid strong clashes, with one officer suffering burns from the impact of a Molotov cocktail.
This is all for today’s report.
