Ecuador lifts emergency; begins talks with Indigenous protesters

President Guillermo Lasso eases security measures amid talks with Indigenous leaders and an opposition-led move to remove him from office.

Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso has lifted a state of emergency imposed in six provinces amid mass protests by Indigenous groups as legislators began hearing an opposition motion to remove him from office.

Lasso’s decision on Saturday followed the first official talks between government officials and Ecuador’s largest Indigenous organization, which began the protests two weeks ago to demand gasoline prices be cut, price controls be imposed on agricultural products, and a larger budget be set for education.

The meeting was held in the Basilica church in the colonial center of Quito and was attended by Minister of Government Francisco Jimenez, foreign minister Juan Carlos Holguin, president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) Leonidas Iza, and other social leaders.

After the talks, Lasso eased the security measures, as requested by the Indigenous leaders.

“The national government ratifies the willingness to guarantee the creation of spaces for peace, in which Ecuadorians can gradually resume their activities,” his office said.

Iza said Indigenous groups would partially open roads blocked during protests to allow food into the capital, where residents have complained of low supplies, but would remain in Quito until they get a satisfactory answer from Lasso.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES