Quito, Ecuador — A month of nationwide protests in Ecuador has resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries, raising alarm over the government’s heavy-handed response led by President Daniel Noboa, according to the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE).
The unrest began after the government enacted Executive Decree 126 on September 12, which eliminated diesel subsidies and increased the fuel price from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. This sudden spike has severely impacted transportation costs, agricultural practices, and household economies, particularly affecting Indigenous and rural communities that rely heavily on diesel for their livelihoods.
In response to the rising tensions, CONAIE and other organizations such as the United Workers Front and the National Student Coordinator declared a state of continuous mobilization. Protesters have taken to the streets not only to challenge the fuel price hike but also to express their grievances regarding shortages of medical supplies, the legalization of mining and oil operations in national reserves like the Galapagos, and ongoing human rights abuses following the government’s declaration of an “Internal Armed Conflict.”
CONAIE has been vocal about the government’s use of force, stating on social media, “For 30 days, the government of Daniel Noboa has responded with bullets, tear gas, and arrests against a people demanding justice and dignity.” The organization has identified Interior Minister John Reimberg as a key figure responsible for the alleged violations against demonstrators.
Reimberg recently confirmed the government’s refusal to engage in dialogue with Indigenous leaders, shifting the blame for any further violence onto them. He stated, “From now on, anything that happens (in the context of the national strike) will be their responsibility.” This rhetoric has only intensified tensions, prompting CONAIE to counter that his comments reveal a systematic approach to repression.
The conflict has escalated since its inception, with CONAIE reporting that three community members, identified as José Guamán, Efraín Fuerez, and Rosa Paqui, died as a result of police action. Fuerez was reportedly killed by a projectile during a protest, while Paqui suffered a cardiac arrest due to tear gas exposure. The fatalities have raised serious concerns over the government’s handling of the civil unrest.
A report from the Alliance of Organizations for Human Rights in Ecuador highlighted the serious implications of the government’s response, citing hundreds of human rights violations, including arrests and injury figures that continue to rise. By mid-October, there were already over 377 documented violations and multiple individuals missing.
International organizations such as Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have also expressed concern over the situation. These groups have called for an immediate halt to excessive force and have demanded accountability for reported abuses committed by state forces during the protests.
The escalating crisis has put serious pressure on the Noboa administration to reconsider its approach amid growing public outcry for justice and reform. The unfolding events have raised fundamental questions about governance, human rights, and the legitimate right to protest in Ecuador.