Guillermo Lasso labels sectors planning protests in Ecuador as “coup plotters” and “conspirators”

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo LassoOn Wednesday, he called indigenous and union groups that plan protests against the increase in fuel as “coup plotters” and “conspirators”.

“This hand will continue to be extended for a democratic dialogue, but if we have to grasp the Constitution with force to confront the coup plotters, we will do so decisively, with spirit and without fear”, he said when addressing several thousand supporters gathered in front of the Executive headquarters in Quito.

“That the conspirators let us work to make the dream of all Ecuadorians come true” he told his supporters in a short speech from the balcony of the Carondelet Palace.

Shouting “Lasso Presidente”, the crowd showed their support three days after he decreed the state of emergency and mobilized police and military to confront violence linked to drug trafficking. The government promised to respect individual rights, including assembly.

The majority Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) and unions plan mobilizations against the progressive rise in fuel prices. The group of doctors will protest this Thursday in the capital due to the lack of supplies and job instability.

In almost three years, the gallon of regular gasoline, the most widely used, rose from 1.48 to 2.50 dollars (69%). The ruler is in favor of the elimination of subsidies, but maintains that there should be compensation for the poorest.

Lasso called to “defend” Quito in reference to the violent protests led by indigenous people in October 2019, which left eleven dead and extensive damage to the city.

“We must be vigilant to protect our capital, that no one thinks they own Quito to throw stones, damage windows, burn buildings, kidnap police, kidnap military, kidnap journalists”, express.

The Conaie, who participated in social unrest that led to the overthrow of three rulers between 1997 and 2005, led in 2019 protests against the elimination of fuel subsidies, which forced then-President Lenín Moreno to reverse his decision.

Pachakutik, the political arm of Conaie, is one of the main forces of the opposition Congress, which is criticized by the president for not giving way to his bill on economic and labor matters.

___________________________________