Indigenous rebellion: Ecuador’s president further lowers already frozen gasoline and diesel prices

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced Sunday that he would lower the prices of frozen fuels by ten cents. The measure is intended to meet one of the main demands of the protests against his government over the high cost of living.

In a message to the nation disseminated through television and social networks, Lasso announced that the price of 85 octanes Extra and Eco País gasoline would decrease from US$2.55 to US$2.45 per gallon (3.7 liters). In comparison, the price of diesel will be reduced from US$1.90 to US$1.80 per gallon.

For comparison: Brazilians pay on average US$5.25 per gallon of gasoline.

This reduction is below the demand of the Indigenous Movement, the main trigger of the protests that began two weeks ago. It had demanded that a gallon of said gasoline be set at US$2.10 and that of diesel at US$1.50.

The governor did not mention the price of super gasoline with 92 octanes, the only petrol whose price is liberalized and currently costs about US$4.50 per gallon.

The price of the most common fuels is the first of the ten points in the demands of the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador (CONAIE) and other peasant organizations that have called for this mobilization.

“Everyone believes that the price of fuel has become the cornerstone that maintains the conflict, and although as a government, we are aware that this factor is not the origin of the problem of Ecuadorians, we must think of the common good and the peace of the citizens,” Lasso said in his message.

Last week, Lasso also addressed other points in the list of demands, such as canceling overdue debts of up to US$3,000 for farm families and lowering interest rates on loans that are still outstanding, as well as increasing a premium for needy families from US$50 to US$55.

However, other items on the indigenous agenda are still pending, such as price controls on essential goods, respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, non-privatization of public enterprises, and non-expansion of mining and petroleum activities in the Amazon.

GESTURES FOR A SOLUTION

The reduction in fuel prices is a new gesture by Lasso to find a solution to this conflict, following the first contact on Saturday between the government and leaders of the indigenous movement, including Leonidas Iza, president of CONAIE.

This also occurred after “on Friday, measures were taken that made those who felt deceived by their leaders return to their respective communities,” Lasso said.

The head of state recalled that after the government allowed it to enter the Casa de la Cultura to set up a popular assembly – one of its conditions for opening dialogue – the indigenous movement demonstrated in the National Assembly (Parliament) for a motion to impeach Lasso.

This reduced the mobilization of the indigenous population, who had come to Quito to make their voices heard more. In addition, a state of emergency was lifted on Saturday in six provinces where the demonstrations were concentrated.

WARNING TO VIOLENT DEMONSTRATORS

However, the president regretted that “more acts of violence and terrorism” continued to occur after the lifting of the state of emergency, which suspended the right of assembly and association and allowed the use of the armed forces to support the police.

“Against those who continue to commit violence and cause terror, our police and armed forces will continue to use progressive force to restore order and return to citizens the tranquility they need to live, work and prosper in peace,” Lasso said.

The protests began June 13 and have so far left five dead and about 400 injured, half demonstrators and the other half police and military personnel.

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