2019 Ecuadorian protests

The 2019 Ecuadorian protests are an ongoing series of protests and riots against the end of fuel subsidies and austerity measures by President of Ecuador Lenín Moreno and his administration.

2019 Ecuadorian protests
Part of the global anti-austerity movement
Date	3 October 2019 – 13 October 2019
Location	Ecuador
Caused by	Austerity measures Neoliberal economic policies
Goals	Return of fuel subsidies End of Austerity measures Resignation of President Lenin Moreno
Methods	Protest marches, picketing, strikes, civil disobedience, riots
Resulted in	Austerity measures reversed[1]
Parties to the civil conflict
Lenín Moreno Administration Armed Forces of Ecuador National Police of Ecuador Proud and Sovereign Homeland Party Moreno opponents National Confederation of Trade Unions Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador Taxi, bus and truck drivers and unions University Students
Lead figures
Lenín Moreno Administration President Lenín Moreno Rafael Correa
Casualties
Injuries	Two dozen police officers injured
Detained	570 (Oct 8)

The protests began on 3 October 2019, as taxi, bus and truck drivers came out in protest against the planned fuel subsidy abolition. Indigenous peoples groups joined the protests shortly thereafter, along with university students and labour unions. The protesters declared their plan to hold an indefinite general strike, which would last until the government overturned its decision.[2]

President Moreno declared a state of emergency on October 4, 2019, amid nationwide protests against a hike in fuel prices. The protests had weakened the country's transport network with all major roads and bridges blocked in the capital Quito.[3]

Shortly thereafter, President Lenín Moreno refused to discuss a potential reversal of the fuel plans and called protesting crowds as "criminals".[4]

On 8 October 2019, President Moreno said his government had relocated to the coastal city of Guayaquil after anti-government protesters had overrun the capital Quito. On the same day, President Moreno accused his predecessor Rafael Correa of creating a coup against the government with the help of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, a charge which Correa denied.[5][6]

During the late-night hours of 13 October, the Ecuadorian government and CONAIE reached an agreement during a televised negotiation.[1][7] Both parties agreed to collaborate on new economic measures to combat overspending and debt. The austerity measures were reversed.