After protests
After the end of the general strike: government reshuffle in Ecuador
The general strike has ended, but problems continue. Photo: Joaquin Montenegro Humanante/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Indigenous groups had been protesting for 18 days, triggered by the high prices for fuel and fertilizer. The general strike has ended, but the situation remains difficult.
The general strike has ended, but the situation in Ecuador remains tense: President Guillermo Lasso was forced to replace three ministers.
On Tuesday evening (local time) in Quito, he sworn in the heads of department for urban development and housing, transport and public buildings as well as economics and finance. He also introduced two other high officials into office. The intention behind this is to strengthen the government team, according to a tweet from the presidency of the South American country.
18-day protest
In the face of rising fuel and fertilizer prices, indigenous groups had protested against social grievances for 18 days. On Thursday, representatives of the government and the indigenous people then signed a joint declaration. During the road blockades across the country and protests in the capital Quito, violent clashes between demonstrators and the police repeatedly broke out. According to human rights organizations, six people died and 335 others were injured. There were also 155 arrests during the protests.
The protests ended with the statement. However, the organizations that took to the streets gave themselves 90 days to see if the promises made were kept. President Lasso’s conservative government pledged to cut the price of gasoline by 15 cents a gallon (3.78 liters), subsidize fertilizers, offer cheap credit to small farmers, increase grants for poor families and raise debt by up to to waive $3,000 per debtor.