30 Jun 2022 | 10:24 PM UTC
Ecuador: Protest leaders and government reach agreement June 30 to end demonstrations /update 11
Government and protest leaders announce agreement to end protests across Ecuador June 30. Lingering disruptions likely through early July.
Event
Government officials announced that they have reached an agreement with the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Confederacion de Nacionalidades Indigenas de Ecuador, CONAIE), the main group organizing protests in the country, under which street demonstrations will be brought to an end June 30. As part of the agreement, CONAIE will cease its protest activity for at least 90 days while the organization and the government negotiate a longer-term accord. Under the agreement, as protesters disperse, the government will end the states of emergency it declared in the provinces of Azuay, Imbabura, Sucumbios, and Orellana. While the 21:00-05:00 curfew in Azuay Province and the 19:00-05:00 curfew in Sucumbios and Orellana were not immediately lifted, the government is likely to end all curfews in early July.
Though the agreement will likely greatly reduce the number and intensity of protests across the country, some protests may continue if smaller groups of demonstrators reject it. Police will likely deploy to any continuing demonstrations; clashes are possible, especially if authorities attempt to forcibly disperse protesters.
Lingering transport disruptions will probably continue through early July as protesters and authorities dismantle roadblocks and clear roads of debris. Many businesses will likely remain closed through the first days of July - especially those in central Quito, where demonstrations were particularly intense. An inordinate number of flights at airports across the country, including Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO), will probably be delayed or canceled in the short term as airlines make efforts to clear backlogs and resume normal operations.
Advice
Avoid any continued protests as a precaution. If violence occurs, seek shelter in a secure nongovernmental building. Check local sources to see if roads are accessible before traveling and allow additional time for travel. Reconfirm business appointments and flights before departure. Do not attempt to drive through any roadblocks; wait for the police to dismantle them before proceeding. Heed all instructions from authorities.
