Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno will reconsider the decree cancelling fuel subsidies that resulted in mass protests, Quito Mayor Jorge Yunda Machado said in a statement.
"The president, taking into account the complexity of the situation, has agreed to analyse Decree 883 one more time. In the next few hours, he will meet with the protest leaders", Yunda said on Twitter.
Según el alcalde de #Quito Jorge Yunda @LoroHomero, el presidente @Lenin Moreno ha decidido revisar el decreto 883 que elimina el subsidio a la gasolina extra y diésel. pic.twitter.com/BAtwYJWQUz
— Andrea Orbe Saltos (@AndreaOrbe5) October 12, 2019
The statement comes after an Ecuadorian indigenous group announced direct talks with Moreno.
Earlier in the day, authorities at Quito International Airport reported that access roads to it were blocked by the protesters.
ATENCIÓN Al momento las vías de acceso al Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre se encuentran bloqueadas, pedimos precaución. Manténgase informado por los canales oficiales. #QuitoExigePaz pic.twitter.com/gohjmzO7Jk
— Empresa de Servicios Aeroportuarios Quito (@ServiAeroQuito) October 12, 2019
Demonstrators reportedly ransacked the government building in Ecuador's capital.
Ecuador's security forces bombard protesters in the vicinity of the National Assembly in Quito earlier this afternoon. @teleSURenglish pic.twitter.com/yxVi5STawC
— Camila (@camilateleSUR) October 12, 2019
The building housing the comptroller general's office is reportedly on fire, according to videos that have appeared online.
#QUITO | Un incendio se registra en las oficinas de la Contraloría General del Estado. Personas encapuchadas ingresaron a las instalaciones este sábado
— El Comercio (@elcomerciocom) October 12, 2019
Video: Cortesía
12-10-2019 pic.twitter.com/zsovyjo6v7
Since President Lenin Moreno imposed a suspension on fuel subsidies, the protests evolved into a wide-ranging set of demands that activated many social groups, including farmers, students, indigenous peoples, and more.
🔴▶️ #URGENTE en este momento en el sur de #Quito, sector Mena 2, ciudadanos se suman a manifestaciones #ParoNacionalEC pic.twitter.com/vID5oHsQaB
— Ecuadorinmediato (@ecuainm_oficial) October 12, 2019
Mass protests erupted in Ecuador in early October as thousands rallied across the country against the government's economic reforms, specifically the decision to end decades-long fuel subsidies for people. As civil unrest grew progressively violent, Moreno declared a national two-month state of emergency. According to the president, Ecuador could no longer afford them and the cuts could help the country save some $2.27 billion a year. Additionally, the abolition of fuel subsidies was part of the Ecuadorian government's deal with the International Monetary Fund to be eligible for a $4.2 billion loan.
