11 Jun 2023 | 01:01 AM UTC
Ecuador: Anti-mining and indigenous groups to protest nationwide June 13
Anti-mining and indigenous groups to protest throughout Ecuador June 13. Major transport and business disruptions are likely.
Event
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Confederacion de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador, CONAIE), along with anti-mining and other civil society groups, will hold nationwide protests June 13 to demand an end to illegal mining and the rescinding of a recent executive decree on mining and the environment. The largest protest will likely be in Quito, where protesters plan on gathering at Parque del Arbolito at 10:00 before marching to the Constitutional Court building. However, CONAIE has said it will also hold demonstrations in all provincial capitals, and protests are likely in all major cities as well as many smaller towns.
The protests are likely to be very well attended and to cause major transport and business disruptions; past demonstrations by CONAIE have often effectively brought transport and commercial activity in the country to a halt. Police are likely to deploy heavily to all protest locations, and clashes are possible, especially if police attempt to forcibly disperse demonstrators.
Advice
Avoid all protests as a precaution. If violence occurs, immediately leave the area and seek shelter in a non-governmental building. Do not attempt to drive through any roadblocks that materialize; wait for police to dismantle them instead. Allow for additional transport time throughout the country. Reconfirm business appointments. Heed the instructions of security personnel.
