“The aim of the violent riots is to carry out a coup,” said President Lasso, who said he remained “open to dialogue that would enable concrete results to be achieved.”
Indigenous people who have been protesting for 12 days in Ecuador, protesting against the rising cost of living, are aiming for a “coup”, said President Guillermo Lasso, as new clashes broke out near the parliament in the capital Quito.
“The aim of the violent riots is to carry out a coup,” said President Lasso, who said he remained “open to dialogue that would enable concrete results to be achieved.”
Addressing the international community, Lasso warned of this “attempt to destabilize democracy in Ecuador” in a televised address.
¡Defenderemos la paz! Hago un llamado a los manifestant que por suguridad y la de sus familias, vuelvan a sus hogares. Violence perpetrated by criminals infiltrated with intentions to destabilize democracy. Tomaremos las medidas, dentro del marco de la ley. pic.twitter.com/jK2CqGjcvF
– Guillermo Lasso (@LassoGuillermo) June 24, 2022
Some 14,000 indigenous people are taking part in ongoing protests across the country against the crackdown, in particular demanding a reduction in fuel prices. Police estimate about 10,000 indigenous people who are protesting in the capital Kito.
Six people have died in the riots to date, while dozens more have been injured. The capital Quito has been severely paralyzed as roadblocks have been set up in many places. Bloody clashes erupted again on Friday afternoon near parliament, which is under siege by protesters.
ALERTA ECUADOR !! Game of 12 days of Paro Nacional, 5 dead, 166 heridos … Guillermo Lasso declares war on the public: pic.twitter.com/v7i4hZZOj2
– ☠☠(@ DAVlD53) June 24, 2022
Officers responded with water-taps, tear gas and grenades of tick-lap to stone attacks and other objects they received, reported by the French News Agency (AFP).
The leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador (CONAIE), the largest indigenous organization, warned on Friday that the mobilizations would continue until there were “results”.
Mund El mundo no dice nada! pic.twitter.com/QojX0MLtA3
– LÃnea Dura (@lineaduraec) June 24, 2022
The Ecuadorian president accused him of “never intending to solve the problems of the natives” and that he was simply trying to “overthrow an elected government”. Addressing the protesters, Guillermo Lasso called on them to return to their communities for the safety of themselves and their families. “The government will use all legal means at its disposal to deal with vandals and criminals,” he warned.
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