State of emergency, clashes: chaos in Ecuador
Chaos in Ecuador. Clashes broke out between protesters and police after President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency Thursday. State of emergency was declared following demonstrations against rising fuel prices due to the government scrapping subsidies. Police fired tear gas at protesters who threw stones and firebombs close to the seat of government in the historic center of the capital Quito. Moreno told reporters he had taken the measure "to safeguard the security of citizens and to avoid chaos." The protests -- the largest in a decade -- were led by the transport sector but included students and other groups. President Lenin Moreno said he imposed the measure to "ensure citizens' security and avoid chaos". Protesters were angered by Mr Moreno's decision to end 40-year-old subsidies for fuel, which he said were no longer affordable. Diesel and petrol prices are expected to more than double. The fuel ...