{"id":7553,"date":"2025-10-17T13:09:52","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=7553"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:09:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:09:52","slug":"3-dead-15-missing-and-282-injured-amid-government-repression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=7553","title":{"rendered":"3 Dead, 15 Missing, and 282 Injured Amid Government Repression"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Original article: Paro ind\u00edgena en Ecuador cumple 25 d\u00edas: 3 muertos, 15 desaparecidos y 282 heridos tras represi\u00f3n de Noboa<\/a><\/p>\n\n

The excessive repression by state forces, ordered by the government of Daniel Noboa<\/a> against mobilizations during Ecuador\u2019s national strike, which has now reached 25 days, has resulted in a tragic toll, according to human rights organizations: 3 dead, 15 missing, 282 injured, and 172 arrests, amidst increasing violence from the president\u2019s security forces.<\/p>\n

The unrest began following the signing of Executive Decree 126 on September 12, through which the right-wing administration removed diesel subsidies and raised its price from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon.<\/p>\n

This price hike directly impacts transportation costs, agricultural production, and the household economies of many sectors, particularly indigenous and rural communities that rely on diesel for their productive activities and mobility. This situation prompted the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), alongside the Unified Workers Front (FUT), the National Coordinator of Students (CONAES), and other groups, to declare a state of permanent mobilization.<\/p>\n

The protests also reject the shortage of medical supplies, the legalization of mining and oil extraction in national reserves\u2014 including the Galapagos\u2014and systematic human rights violations since the declaration of the \u00abInternal Armed Conflict\u00bb by the Noboa government.<\/p>\n

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Timeline of a Crisis: From Protest to Repression<\/span><\/h3>\n

During this social and political conflict, the province of Imbabura in the northern Andes has emerged as the epicenter of resistance and mobilizations.<\/p>\n

In response to the protests, Noboa\u2019s approach has not been to open dialogue channels but to escalate the indiscriminate use of force<\/a> and arbitrary arrests.<\/p>\n

On October 11, he declared a new state of emergency in 10 provinces (Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bol\u00edvar, Ca\u00f1ar, Azuay, Orellana, Sucumb\u00edos, and Pastaza), citing \u00abserious internal commotion\u00bb and claiming that the protests had become \u00abviolent.\u00bb This decree followed the Constitutional Court\u2019s annulment of a previous decree on October 3, deeming it unconstitutional.<\/p>\n

Throughout the 25 days of citizen mobilizations, operations by the National Police and Armed Forces have intensified, characterized by the disproportionate use of force, as documented by civil organizations.<\/p>\n

The timeline of significant events clearly illustrates that Ecuador is experiencing states of repression.<\/p>\n

\u2013 September 22: 12 community members are detained in Otavalo, accused of terrorism.<\/p>\n

\u2013 September 28: The first reported death at the hands of Armed Forces personnel occurs. Kichwa leader Efra\u00edn Fuerez, 46, dies in Cotacachi from a projectile wound that fractured into four parts. Reports indicate that the shot entered his back and exited through his chest, leading to lung injuries and a cervical fracture.<\/p>\n

\u2013 October 3: Repression intensifies against the Waranka people in Guaranda, with reports of assaults on women and arbitrary arrests.<\/p>\n

\u2013 October 7: Indigenous protestors intercept President Noboa\u2019s convoy during his visit to Ca\u00f1ar. Energy Minister In\u00e9s Manzano files a report for attempted murder, though a subsequent police report found no \u00abballistic evidence\u00bb on the vehicles, leading to the release of those detained.<\/p>\n

\u2013 October 12: A massive mobilization in Quito for the Day of Interculturality is suppressed using tear gas and stun grenades in La Villaflora, El Ejido, and Avenida 6 de Diciembre. Reports of aggression against journalists and attempts to enter the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, where citizens sought refuge, are documented.<\/p>\n

\u2013 October 13-14: A \u00abhumanitarian convoy\u00bb of military and police moves from Quito to Imbabura, while operations reported in Ibarra and other locations like Otavalo, Cotacachi, and Peguche are characterized by violence, arbitrary detentions, and military incursions into hospitals.<\/p>\n

\u2013 October 15: The humanitarian crisis deepens with two new fatalities. Rosa Elena Paqui, 61, from the Kichwa Saraguro community, dies from respiratory failure after inhaling tear gas during confrontations in Loja. On the same day, Jos\u00e9 Guam\u00e1n, a protestor from the Cachibiro community, is shot in the chest during a mobilization in Otavalo.<\/p>\n

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We regret to inform about the death of our brother Jos\u00e9 Guam\u00e1n, shot in the chest by the armed forces during the massacre ordered by the National Government in #Otavalo<\/a>. <\/p>\n

He was previously operated on at the San Vicente de Pa\u00fal Hospital in Ibarra, where he fought for his life after a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/0wZ8CKtSJw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CONAIE (@CONAIE_Ecuador) October 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The National Strike Continues<\/span><\/h3>\n

In an attempt to defuse the crisis, a dialogue table was set up on October 15 in Otavalo between some indigenous leaders from Imbabura and the Noboa government.<\/p>\n

Following negotiations, Mes\u00edas Flores, president of the Federation of Kichwa Peoples of the Northern Highlands (Chijallta FICI), announced the withdrawal of the national strike. However, indigenous bases rejected this decision, reaffirming that the \u00abstrike continues.\u00bb <\/p>\n

Subsequently, Indigenous organizations from Imbabura province called for a popular assembly where it was agreed to maintain mobilizations and reject the partial truce agreed upon by some sectors of the indigenous communities with the Noboa administration.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\uded1#Atenci\u00f3n<\/a> | Dozens of members from indigenous communities in Imbabura arrived on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Municipality of Otavalo. They expressed their disagreement with the agreements reached the previous day in the meeting with the Government. The mayor of Otavalo, Anabel\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gRRWhlKRgm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Radio Pichincha (@radio_pichincha) October 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cLet the strike continue. To strengthen the peoples. We call on everyone to join. It is a call for dialogue and unity,\u201d affirmed an indigenous leader during the assembly, as reported by TeleSUR<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rafael Fueres, another leader present at the assembly, stated that \u201cthe strike continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not lift our blockades and points of resistance. Resistance continues at each of those points,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no terrorists here. Let the military leave and focus on working in areas of the country with greater violence,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the mayor of Otavalo, Anabel Hermosa, clarified the confusion generated by Interior Minister John Reimberg, who had declared that \u201cthe strike is over today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one has said the strike is over; the struggle does not stop,\u201d asserted Hermosa.<\/p>\n

CONAIE Reaffirms the Struggle and Demands<\/span><\/h3>\n

CONAIE issued a statement calling for unity and steadfastness in national mobilizations within the framework of the strike.<\/p>\n

In the text shared on their social networks, they clarified that neither the COnsejo de la COnaie nor its regional representatives were invited to the dialogue table with the government.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe respect Imbabura\u2019s decision, but we remind everyone that the demands presented during the National Strike 2025 are of national significance,\u201d they stated.<\/p>\n

Thus, the central demands of the strike remain unchanged and include: the repeal of Decree 126 that eliminated the diesel subsidy; a reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 12%; and rejection of the referendum called by Noboa for November 16, which aims, among other points, to initiate a process for a new Constitutional Assembly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo provocation should divide us. The resolutions of the Extended Council from October 14 remain in effect, which resolved to reorganize resistance, strengthen unity, say NO to the Popular Consultation, and reaffirm resistance across all territories,\u201d CONAIE asserted.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd34 [STATEMENT] Call for Unity from the Indigenous Movement
Our fraternal call to communities, communes, peoples, and nationalities to act with unity, discipline, and respect for our organizational structures.<\/p>\n

\ud835\udc16\ud835\udc04 \ud835\udc02\ud835\udc0b\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc11\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc05\ud835\udc18 \ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2d \ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc21\ud835\udc1e \ud835\udc02\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc2c\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc23\ud835\udc28 \ud835\udc1d\ud835\udc1e\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/BVPqwnT8x0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CONAIE (@CONAIE_Ecuador) October 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

While Noboa\u2019s government, through spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo, defends the actions of security forces, the streets of Imbabura, Quito, and other provinces are preparing to continue the resistance and mobilizations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n