Ecuadorian indigenous organizations have said they will meet with the government to discuss demands for lower fuel and food prices that have sparked two weeks of protests, affecting the country’s weak economy and threatening its oil production.
President Guillermo Lasso announced on Sunday afternoon a 10-cent reduction per gallon in gasoline and diesel prices, the latest concession to try to quell the sometimes violent protests that began on June 13th.
At least seven people have died during the riots and the country’s oil production has been halved, and the energy ministry says production could be halted on Tuesday due to a delay in supply.
Lasso, the confrontational relationship with the national assembly has worsened during the protests, has also withdrawn security measures and announced subsidized fertilizers and debt forgiveness.
Indigenous groups led by the Conaie organization said Monday in a statement that reducing the price to $ 2.45 a gallon for additional gasoline and $ 1.80 a gallon for diesel was not enough.
But in the afternoon the groups said they would attend a meeting with government officials set for 2pm local time (1900 GMT), although supporters marched on Quito in rejection of the new prices.
Lasso said on Twitter that the measures he has announced, including reducing the price of gas, will cost about $ 600 million.
People in the capital, Quito, woke up on Monday with roadblocks. Neighbors have complained about the shortage of gas and household food. Other cities have also reported shortages of fuel and medical supplies for hospitals.
The public oil sector, private producers of flowers and dairy products, tourism and other businesses have lost about $ 500 million, the government said.
Conaie records five deaths of protesters, while the government says three civilians died during the marches, two more died in accidents and two died in ambulances delayed by the blockades.
Lawmakers will continue the debate on Tuesday on an effort to remove Lasso from office, although it seems that opposition groups do not have the necessary support for the measure to be successful.