Quito, Ecuador — Following a month of escalating unrest, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) has reported that government crackdowns in response to ongoing national protests have resulted in three fatalities and scores of injuries. The unrest initially sparked by the government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies has continued to intensify, prompting widespread calls for justice and accountability.
The protests began after Executive Decree 126 was signed on September 12, which raised diesel prices from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. This price increase significantly impacted various sectors, particularly Indigenous and rural communities that depend on diesel for transport and agricultural production. In response to these hardships, CONAIE, alongside other organizations, declared a state of permanent mobilization, rallying citizens to voice their dissent against what they describe as state oppression.
Amid the protests, demonstrators have also raised concerns over issues such as a lack of medical supplies, the legalization of mining and oil activities in protected areas including the Galapagos Islands, and widespread human rights violations declared by the government. A recent statement from CONAIE condemned the government’s approach, which they claim has relied heavily on violence and repression against peaceful protesters. They specifically called out Interior Minister John Reimberg as complicit in these actions, echoing frustrations over the government’s refusal to discuss critical issues with Indigenous representatives.
The clash between protesters and state forces has been marked by tragic outcomes. On September 28, Efraín Fuerez, a Kichwa leader, became the first reported fatality, succumbing to injuries from police projectiles. His death was characterized by CONAIE as a “state crime” directly linked to orders from President Daniel Noboa. Two additional fatalities in mid-October—the deaths of Rosa Elena Paqui and José Guamán—have underscored the urgency of the humanitarian crisis fueled by excessive law enforcement measures.
Data collected by various human rights organizations highlights the grim reality on the ground, noting at least 377 incidents of rights violations, 296 injuries, and 205 arrests within the first month of the protests. The reports criticize the government’s systematic use of military and police forces against demonstrators, signaling a troubling trend toward increasing militarization of public protests.
In the face of these developments, international organizations, including Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, have issued warnings about the use of excessive force and arbitrary detentions by state security agencies. They emphasize the need for respect for the right to protest and investigations into reported abuses, calling for an end to the violence that has engulfed the country.
As tensions persist, the demand for justice remains paramount, with CONAIE pledging to continue its fight for accountability and recognition of Indigenous rights. The ongoing situation poses significant challenges not only for the Ecuadorian government but also for the social fabric of the nation, as citizens grapple with the implications of state-sanctioned violence in their pursuit of dignity and reform.