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Ecuador at Standstill as Striking Transit Workers Block Roads Ecuador Declares State of Emergency as Striking Workers Block Roads
(about 13 hours later)
BAÑOS, Ecuador — Ecuadoreans found their nation at a standstill on Thursday, with major roads closed, taxis unavailable and public transportation shut down as the country’s transit unions declared a strike to protest President Lenín Moreno’s decision to strip away a $1.3 billion fuel subsidy.BAÑOS, Ecuador — Ecuadoreans found their nation at a standstill on Thursday, with major roads closed, taxis unavailable and public transportation shut down as the country’s transit unions declared a strike to protest President Lenín Moreno’s decision to strip away a $1.3 billion fuel subsidy.
Demonstrators blocked roads in the capital, Quito, and in smaller cities across the nation. Blockades along the main road to Quito International Airport shut down traffic, setting off rippling flight delays and cancellations.Demonstrators blocked roads in the capital, Quito, and in smaller cities across the nation. Blockades along the main road to Quito International Airport shut down traffic, setting off rippling flight delays and cancellations.
President Moreno’s move on fuel subsidies is expected to significantly raise the price of gasoline and diesel for consumers. Taxi drivers, who are represented by the union, pay for gas out of pocket; other protesters voiced alarm at ballooning consumer prices.President Moreno’s move on fuel subsidies is expected to significantly raise the price of gasoline and diesel for consumers. Taxi drivers, who are represented by the union, pay for gas out of pocket; other protesters voiced alarm at ballooning consumer prices.
By Thursday afternoon, Mr. Moreno announced a state of emergency, permitting Ecuador’s armed forces to dismantle the makeshift blockades, which were formed by buses, vans and taxis parked across the roads.By Thursday afternoon, Mr. Moreno announced a state of emergency, permitting Ecuador’s armed forces to dismantle the makeshift blockades, which were formed by buses, vans and taxis parked across the roads.
Luis Galárraga, communications manager for the Quito airport, said the protests were “affecting all of our operations.”Luis Galárraga, communications manager for the Quito airport, said the protests were “affecting all of our operations.”
Passengers were forced to choose between waiting in the airport for the disruptions to end or going to nearby hotels for lodging, Mr. Galárraga said. He added that international airlines like KLM, Air France and Avianca had canceled flights in and out of Quito, and domestic flights operated by Avianca and Tam were also being canceled.Passengers were forced to choose between waiting in the airport for the disruptions to end or going to nearby hotels for lodging, Mr. Galárraga said. He added that international airlines like KLM, Air France and Avianca had canceled flights in and out of Quito, and domestic flights operated by Avianca and Tam were also being canceled.
In the resort town of Baños, about three and a half hours southeast of Quito, all travel in and out was stopped. Taxis had disappeared; they had all gathered in the closest big city, Ambato, to participate in the protest.In the resort town of Baños, about three and a half hours southeast of Quito, all travel in and out was stopped. Taxis had disappeared; they had all gathered in the closest big city, Ambato, to participate in the protest.
“We haven’t had a strike like this in a really long time,” said Marcela Piñuela, manager of the Hotel Casa Real in Baños. Transit strikes were more common under previous presidents, including a significant one in 1999 that lasted five days.“We haven’t had a strike like this in a really long time,” said Marcela Piñuela, manager of the Hotel Casa Real in Baños. Transit strikes were more common under previous presidents, including a significant one in 1999 that lasted five days.
Ms. Piñuela said even though the strike had been in place for a matter of hours, she was already seeing a major impact on her business: “All of our reservations are being canceled, because people can’t get out of Quito or the airport.”Ms. Piñuela said even though the strike had been in place for a matter of hours, she was already seeing a major impact on her business: “All of our reservations are being canceled, because people can’t get out of Quito or the airport.”
In Cuenca, a major city in the south of Ecuador, protests turned violent. Local news outlets reported that hundreds of protesters threw rocks and fired paintballs at officers protecting government buildings, and the police fired tear gas into the crowds in response.In Cuenca, a major city in the south of Ecuador, protests turned violent. Local news outlets reported that hundreds of protesters threw rocks and fired paintballs at officers protecting government buildings, and the police fired tear gas into the crowds in response.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Moreno denounced the protests in strong language. “To those who want to impose chaos as a mechanism to achieve something, that time is over,” he said.In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Moreno denounced the protests in strong language. “To those who want to impose chaos as a mechanism to achieve something, that time is over,” he said.
He added that he was unwilling to reconsider revoking the fuel subsidy: “The measures we have taken together are firm,” he said. “There is no possibility of change.”He added that he was unwilling to reconsider revoking the fuel subsidy: “The measures we have taken together are firm,” he said. “There is no possibility of change.”