Most highways remain open; Ecuadorians oppose the strike, support Noboa but say country is on ‘wrong track’; Esmeraldas prison riot leaves 18 dead

The Ecuador emergency service ECU911 reports that the “vast majority” of major highways in the country are open with traffic flowing normally. The exception, the service says, are roads in the central and northern sierra and in the northern Amazon region that have been closed periodically by Conaie protesters.

Among the roads experiencing closures are:
• Quito – Cayambe: closed at the Cangahua toll booth.
• Otavalo – Quiroga: closed in San Eloy and Blanco River.
• Ibarra – Zuleta – Cayambe: closed in the San Francisco neighborhood and at the Rumipamba bridge.
• Otavalo – Cotacachi: closed in the Cotacachi, Ilumán and Peguche district.
• Salinas – El Juncal: closed in El Juncal.
• Coñaquí – Urcuquí: closed at the Coñaquí turnoff.

Two soldiers stand guard Friday following the Esmeraldas prison riot that left 18 dead.

ECU911 says the highways have been cleared “occasionally” to allow transport trucks to pass but urge the public to avoid them if possible.

Residents in Carchi Province are reporting a shortage of LG gas due to roadblocks by protesters.

Esmeraldas prison riot leaves 18 dead
Three days after a riot at the Machala prison left 14 inmates and one guard dead, a riot at the Esmeraldas prison has resulted in 18 deaths.

According to the Police, the disturbances began early Thursday as a result of conflicts between inmates associated with the Los Tiguerones, Los Lobos and Los Choneros criminal gangs. Authorities say inmates broke down doors between prison blocks to carry out attacks.

One soldier was injured when he attempted to intercede.

Newspaper reporter Karol Noroña, who was in Esmerladas at the time of riot, blamed the slow response of police and military personnel for the death toll. “There appeared to be a reluctance on the part of authorities to enter the areas where the fighting occurred,” he said. “Two hours elapsed before soldiers moved in and secured the blocks where the violence occurred.”

Noroña says one reason for the increase of prison violence in recent weeks is the government’s decision to reduce the number of soldiers working in the prisons. “While some remain on duty, the total number has been reduced by more than 50%,” he said.

Poll shows disapproval of Conaie strike and support for Noboa
In a Cedatos poll released September 26, most Ecuadorians say they are opposed to the national strike called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities. Respondents also believe the country is on the “wrong track” while they continue to give President Daniel Noboa a positive rating.

The poll, conducted between September 18 and 25 in 34 cities and towns, showed that 69% of Ecuadorians oppose the Conaie strike while 27% support it.

Only 43.3% of respondents indicated the country is on the “right track” while 51.1% said it wasn’t.

Noboa’s favorable rating continues to hold steady at 51.6%, up slightly from 51.5% in June. 43.2% of Ecuadorians rate the president unfavorably.