Imbabura strike talks break down; Travel is disrupted between Cuenca and Quito; Four protesters released; Diesel consumption falls following price increase

Less than a day after they began, negotiations in Imbabura Province to end the indigenous strike have fallen apart. Although the government first reported a “recess” in talks on Wednesday, it said later that they would not resume.

The Federation of Kichwa Peoples of the Northern Sierra of Ecuador (Chijallta), issued a statement late Wednesday accusing the government of a “lack of commitment and interest” in finding a solution. The statement followed the failure of 30 strike leader to appear at a university meeting hall in Ibarra to meet with government officials.

Police prepare to clear a roadblock in Chimborazo Province on Tuesday.

“We will maintain the strike and are considering further radicalization of our mission,” Chijallta said. It added that the break in talks was the result of the government’s refusal to discuss the cost of diesel fuel and the possible reestablishment of the fuel subsidy. “It is a waste of time to continue talks if the government maintains a hard position on the diesel question. There are many matters to discuss, including the violence against protesters, but we insist that the diesel question be addressed first.”

Strike disrupts travel between Cuenca and Quito
The highway link between Cuenca and Quito is being disrupted by ongoing closures of the Pan American highway (E35) due to the indigenous strike. The closures are occurring mostly in Cañar and Chimborazo Provinces, according to the Transportation Ministry.

“Authorities are clearing the obstructions on a periodic basis to allow the passage of vehicles, but strike protesters are reestablishing the obstructions in periods between the clearances,” the ministry says. “We advise motorists traveling on the Pan American highway in the central valley to expect delays and to take alternative routes as needed.”

In Chimborazo Province, road closures are most frequent in Chunchi, Alausí and Guamote, the ministry reports. In Cañar Province, closures are occurring in Tambo, Cañar city and Zhud.

Long-distance bus companies have rerouted Cuenca-to-Quito trips to coastal highways, a change that adds at least five hours to the trip.

Four Molleturo protesters are released
A Cuenca judge has ordered the release of four protesters arrested Tuesday in Molleturo. Three men and one woman had been detained on charges of failing to obey police commands at a roadblock on the Cuenca-Guayaquil highway.

According to the court, prosecutors did not present “sufficient evidence” to keep the suspects in custody and could not prove that the four had committed a physical assault on police. Prosecutors said their investigation of the incident is continuing and more charges could be presented later.

Diesel consumption falls following price increase
The sales of diesel fuel dropped almost 16% nationally in September, the Finance Ministry reported Wednesday. The drop follows the government decision to increase the price of diesel by a dollar.

President Daniel Noboa credited most of the drop in consumption to an end of fuel smuggling across the borders with Colombia and Peru. “In the border provinces of Imbabura, Esmeraldas, Loja and El Oro, the drop was almost 50%, proving that most of the diesel subsidy was benefiting smugglers and other illegal agents,” he said.

Noboa added: “Once again, the data tells the story and proves the government is on the right track. This is why we are steadfast in our position that the subsidy will not be reinstated. We refuse to support criminals.”