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 subsidies cost the government $1.3bn annually.


On Thursday students and the transport sector led a national strike.

Taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked roads and bridges in the capital Quito and the city of Guayaquil, bringing transport to a standstill.

Some protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas to disperse crowds. Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo said 19 people had been arrested.

Some protesters burned tyres and threw objects at armoured police vans, drawing criticism from Mr Moreno.


The president, who took office in 2017, said he would not allow protesters to "impose chaos".

The IMF agreement, signed in March, allowed Ecuador to borrow $4.2 billion.

On Tuesday, Ecuador announced it was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to pump more oil and raise revenues.

Moreno blames the deterioration in the country's finances on his predecessor, Rafael Correa, who has sought asylum in Belgium.

He is wanted back home on suspicion of kidnapping a political opponent in 2012 during his 10-year presidency.

The emergency measure allows the government to restrict movement, to employ the armed forces to maintain order and to censor the press.

It will be in place for 60 days, after which it can be extended for a further 30 days, the government said.