On June 19, 2022, indigenous people and peasant burn tires and wicker baskets at a blockade in Cutuglagua neighborhood, southern Quito, as they wait for the arrival of their comrades who are mobilizing from the Province of Cotopaxi. AFP QUITO Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso has declared a 30 day state of emergency in four provinces of Azuay, Imbabura, Sucumbios and Orellana, citing an escalation of violence in the indigenous protest.
This declaration was made after violence, which has often come with the protests, has affected social order, with reserved areas attacked, safety of citizens undermined and medicine and food supplies stopped, according to a decree issued by the General Secretariat of Communication of the Presidency.
The Armed Forces and National Police units will be deployed in the four provinces to maintain public security and social order.
Under the state of emergency, the exercise of the right to freedom of association and assembly will be restricted and a night curfew will be imposed on Wednesday.
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The entire area where the oilfields and oil-producing facilities are located has been declared a security zone in Orellana and Sucumbios. This was the third time that the Ecuadorian president had announced the state of emergency after the nationwide indefinite protest began on June 13.
The protest was called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, the largest indigenous organization in the South American country. It demands a list of economic and social concessions, including a reduction in gasoline and diesel prices by 40 cents.
According to the Ecuadoran National Police, six deaths have been reported and 150 arrests have been made for various forms of violence.
A total of 228 police officers were injured in clashes with protesters, 11 police vehicles and 11 police stations were destroyed.