Quito – Violence is never the right way, declare the Ecuadorian bishops in response to the protests called by CONAIE, the main organization of the indigenous movement in Ecuador, against the increase in fuel prices, as reported by Ecuadorian media.
The protests in Ecuador erupted in mid-September after the government in Quito decided to cut diesel subsidies. On September 15, truck drivers began the first road blockades, and in the following days, a national strike was declared, which spread to include indigenous and ordinary people. On the sidelines of the protests, President Daniel Noboa’s motorcade was attacked on the morning of Tuesday, October 7, in the El Tambo area of Cañar Province, where he was to present new infrastructure projects on the sixteenth day of the mobilization. CONAIE denounced the “militarization of El Tambo” and accused the government of “repressing” the protests.
According to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano, a crowd of approximately 500 people surrounded the president’s car and threw stones at it, allegedly leaving bullet holes.
In connection with the strike, the country’s bishops are calling for dialogue as the only way to overcome political and social tensions. The Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference issued a statement on the sidelines of a meeting in Azogues, reaffirming its “call for dialogue and peace.” In their message, the bishops recognize the people’s right to peaceful demonstrations, especially those who feel their demands have not been heard. However, they warn that violence “will never be the path to a better Ecuador,” as it threatens lives, harms innocent people, weakens the rule of law, and disrupts social peace.
“Our first appeal has always been for dialogue and peace. And the appeal to all parties involved—from the government to social and indigenous organizations and civil society as a whole—is understood as a mission at the service of these people,” said David de la Torre, Secretary General of the CEE and Auxiliary Bishop of Quito.
President Noboa has declared a new state of emergency in ten of the 24 provinces. The measure, announced by a decree signed by the Head of State, aims to contain the increase in violence during the demonstrations and prevent their spread.
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