News / Economic Divide

Ecuador: Another IMF victim

Thursday, 14 November 2019 1:05 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 14 November 2019 3:08 AM ]

When it comes to South America we think of Brazil, Argentina and Peru. But there is another country which has grabbed attention of people with its rich culture and natural beauty: Ecuador, home to the UNESCO-preserved Galapagos Islands and Historic Quito, ancient pyramids, Pinocchio lizards and other rare species, and of course bananas! But, it was far from the thoughts that one day the country would be filled with the smell of bullets gunpowder, smoke from tear gas, fiery barricades, and the injured who were caked in blood.

Eleven frenzy days: flames, dark smoke and fire, burning tires and blocked streets, burning government offices, throwing stones to police, riot police chasing dissidents, curfew, armored vehicles patrolling streets and coffins with bodies of protesters who were killed in clashes. More than 1,300 people were injured, and nearly 1,200 people were detained.

The protests went so violent that the government was forced to relocate from Quito to Guayaquil for a few days, while the capital was burning. Protests erupted by indigenous groups, who are powerful political constituency in the country. Their protestors have managed to topple three presidents in the last 25 years. They were joined by the Popular Front and the United Workers Front. They objected the austerity measures right after President Lenin Moreno ended four-decade-old fuel subsidies. The public found the austerity measures against farmers and those less well-off. Indeed, when the subsidy cut went into effect, gasoline prices skyrocketed, and diesel prices doubled. But, the protestors won!

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