Pray for Ecuador: State of Emergency
For our United States friends, family and blog followers I am writing this so folks will understand what is currently happening in Ecuador. I am not sure that people in the United States are aware of the situation here since I am not hearing any reporting on the US News.
This all started as a country-wide transportation strike in Ecuador with buses, taxis, and small transport vans which only lasted 2 days. But now the indigenous citizens have taken up a countrywide protest and we are currently on day 5. All of this is due to a protest of the government lifting subsidies on fuel costs. The costs doubled overnight for diesel and increased 45 cents per gallon on gasoline. The subsidies were halted in order to meet the IMF requirements agreement by the Ecuadorian President. The price increase will affect the cost of most everything not just transportation. I remember when gasoline in Texas went to $5.00 a gallon and times you could not even find gasoline. So I certainly understand. Now the indigenous have organized and protesting throughout the county which continues to escalate.
The chart below puts the situation in perspective. Note that the minimum salary in Ecuador is $394 in US dollars. So while the price increase does not seem much to those of us that are from the States it is huge to the Ecuadorians.
The roads all around the airport in Quito are blocked with cars, trucks, trees, rocks, burning tires on the roads. No private drivers are being allowed through and it paralyzes the country. The indigenous are armed with machetes and can demonstrate violence if you try to cross their blockades. The organized group of indigenous people is coming together from all over the county marching to the Presidential Palace in Quito.
It is not a pretty sight with the conflict between the protesting people, the military and the police. Injuries are occurring on both sides. The police and military are trying to do their best but tempers are high on both sides and destructive behavior occurring. People are being arrested and placed in jail. The President has declared a 2-month state of emergency. He also states he will not back down on his decision.
We live 90 minutes north of Quito and roads are blocked in our area as is true in most areas across the country. In our little town, no traffic is being allowed in or out of the city through the roadblocks. Many domestic flights and several international flights have been canceled……flight crews can’t get to the airports.
Protest marches and strikes here have lasted up to 3 weeks in the past. Schools are closed as well as shops around the country. Food supply is running low since the store shelves are depleted and now closed. Even the small markets are closed. It is like a ghost town.
I cannot give an opinion on right or wrong on what is happening but I do honor the right to protest in a peaceful manner. Someone pointed out that the only other country that still had gasoline subsidies is Venezuela. Well, we all know what is happening there. Bill and I along with Winky, Texas & Dallas are fine. We are just in lockdown mode in our home. Reminds me of ice days in Texas only the weather is beautiful with a nice needed rain last night and how the sun is shining! You do not dare venture out since the situation is not safe. As my mother always said, “this too will pass”. Just another life adventure in a beautiful country and equally wonderful people. It is really a shame that it takes a national crisis for me to sit back down and post an update to my blog. More to come as new developments occur.
