Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Ecuador declares state of emergency as fuel protests block roads
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/ecuador-declares-state-emergency-fuel-protests-block-roads-191003211135894.htmlEcuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protests broke out across the country over the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a two-billion-dollar government fiscal reform package.
"Down with the package!" protesters shouted, referring to measures enacted this week as Moreno sets the Andean oil producer on a centrist path after years of leftist rule.
With the fuel measure taking effect on Thursday, taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked streets in the highland capital Quito and in Guayaquil on the Pacific coast, while bus stations were closed. Indigenous groups, students and unions joined the action, blocking roads with rocks and burning tires.
In Quito, riot police used tear gas and deployed armoured vehicles against masked protesters who threw stones.
