Government of Ecuador reduced the price of fuel, but indigenous people say it is not enough

First modification: 06/27/2022 – 16:06

On the night of Sunday, January 26, the Ecuadorian head of state, Guillermo Lasso, announced that he will lower fuel prices ten cents on the dollar, addressing one of the main demands of the indigenous protesters who took over the streets of Quito 14 days ago .

However, the reduction is below the demands that the protesters requested. The frozen cost of Extra and Eco País gasoline will go from 2.55 to 2.45 dollars per gallon; while the diesel will be from 1.90 to 1.80. The Indians wanted it to be set at $2.10 and $1.50, respectively.

The price cuts do not include Super 92 octane gasoline, which is the only one that has a free value and is listed at $4.50 per gallon.

With this announcement, the administration tries to satisfy another of the requests and continue the rapprochement between the parties towards the dialogue table that will put an end to these 14 days of mobilizations.

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“Everyone considers that the price of fuel has become the cornerstone that maintains the conflict and, although we are very clear that this factor does not cause the problem, we must think about the common good and citizen peace,” said the president. in his television statement.

The value of fuels for popular use was one of the ten demands that motivated the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) to make appeals to the streets.

Although the Government satisfied some of these demands, such as forgiving debts of up to 3,000 dollars, reducing interest rates for current loans, subsidizing fertilizers, increasing the bonus for vulnerable families from 50 to 55 dollars, the end of the conflict is still not close.

They also agreed to withdraw the security forces, repeal the state of exception that fell in six provinces and allow access to the House of Culture, a symbol of indigenous Ecuadorians.

However, the indigenous body still wants other changes to be applied, such as controlling the prices of basic necessities and keeping mining and oil concessions in the Amazon at bay.

At least the diplomatic path was undertaken after the first contacts were made on Saturday between the Government and the leaders of the Conaie, including the leader Leónidas Iza.

The protests started on June 13 and generated fierce clashes that left five dead and 400 injured.

Crude oil production alert

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Energy and Mines warned on Sunday that the extensive continuity of the protests, roadblocks and/or attacks on wells are threatening oil production, which could stop in two days.

Through a statement, the portfolio that is responsible for extracting the country’s main export product, detailed that the loss figure reaches 120 million dollars.

They stated that production “is at critical levels” and that there was a decrease of more than 50%. “If this situation continues in 48, production will be suspended because the acts of vandalism, the taking of wells and the closure of the roads do not allow the transportation of the supplies and diesel necessary to maintain the operation,” they explained.

With EFE and Reuters