Government sends convoy to Ibarra following violence that left one protester dead and 12 soldiers injured

In a show of force, the government sent a convoy of 120 military, police and civilian vehicles from Quito to Ibarra Sunday night as hundreds of soldiers cleared roadblocks on the Pan American highway. The convoy was dispatched following Saturday night violence near Cotacachi that left a protester dead and 12 soldiers injured. In addition, protesters kidnapped 17 soldiers who were escorting supply trucks.

Soldiers clear a roadblock Sunday in Imbabura Province as trucks wait to pass.

Saturday’s deadly confrontation occurred on the highway between Otavalo and Cotacachi as about 40 trucks, escorted by military personnel, attempted to make their way to Ibarra. The stretch of highway has become the epicenter of the anti-government Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities strike.

According to news reports, protesters turned violent after police fired teargas in an attempt to disperse a crowd estimated at 200. The insured soldiers were hit by rocks, bottles and metal objects.

As Conaie denounced the death of a protester as “government-sanctioned murder,” Government Minister Zaida Rovira claimed authorities showed “remarkable restraint” during the attack. “Our soldiers were attacked by a violent mob as they attempt to escort trucks carrying food, medicine and fuel and other essential supplies on a public roadway,” she said. “They feared for their lives and many of them are now being held captive by the mob.”

She added: “We support the right of legitimate protest but what happened in Cotacachi was not a protest. It was a cowardly ambush carried out by organizations dedicated to violence.”

Conaie denounced the death of Efraín Fueres, a community leader from Cuicocha, who died of gunshot wounds during Saturday’s confrontation. “This was murder by any definition, and we are demanding justice,” said Conaie President Marlon Vargas, adding that international human right organizations have been called to investigate.

Fueres and the injured soldiers were taken to the Asdrúbal de la Torre Hospital in Cotacachi. Fueres was pronounced dead on arrival and at least four soldiers remain hospitalized.

According to family members, the soldiers being held captive are in good health and are allowed to use their cell phones.

The government issued a warning Sunday night for motorists to avoid the Pan American highway and two other roads in Imbabura Province. The routes currently blocked by protests are:

• Otavalo – Quiroga: San Eloy and Río Blanco, in Caluquí
• Ibarra – Zuleta – Cayambe: San Francisco neighborhood and Rumipamba bridge
• Otavalo – Cotacachi: Ilumán intersection
• Antonio Ante: E35 at the San Roque toll booth
• Natabuela: El Arco and Germán Martínez sector

The government reported highways in most of the country are open with traffic flowing normally.