Noboa warns Conaie leadership that any attempt to ‘take over’ Quito will be met with force

Responding to a threat from Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie) President Marlon Vargas, President Daniel Noboa said Sunday he would use “all force necessary” to protect Quito from violent protesters. On Saturday, Vargas said indigenous strike supporters would “take over Quito” if Conaie’s strike demands are not met.

Protesters attempt to push down barricades in Quito during the 2019 Conaie strike.

On his X account, Noboa wrote that “no one or no group can take by force the capital that belongs to all Ecuadorians,” adding: “I will make certain this does not happen.

Complaining of government “repression and violence” against protesters, Vargas said that the indigenous movement learned a “valuable lesson” in its 2019 and 2022 strikes. “Our marches and occupation of the city forced the government to begin talks. It earned results and we may be forced, once again, to take Quito.”

Tens of thousands of protesters controlled parts of central Quito during the 2019 and 2022 strikes. Violence broke in several locations as several protesters were killed dozens were injured. Several government buildings were fire-bombed during the violence.

Vargas also blasted Noboa’s decision to issue a new emergency declaration for Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cañar, Azuay, Sucumbíos and Pastaza Provinces. The declaration followed a Friday ruling by Constitutional Court that the government did not justify the emergency in five of those provinces, including Azuay.

Noboa added language to the new order he claims provides a “full explanation with additional evidence” for the emergency.

In a Sunday radio interview, Noboa pledged to keep highways open during this week’s Guayaquil holiday. “We will ensure that citizens can travel freely throughout the country to enjoy activities of the long weekend,” he said. “I will not allow the indigenous mobilization to interfere with the people’s right to enjoy the holiday.”

Except for locations between Otavalo, Cotacachi and Ibarra, most of the country’s highways were open Friday and Saturday. Police and soldiers cleared the roadway in Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Bolívar and Cañar Provinces to allow periodic passage of vehicles.

Noboa said there could be “many more arrests of violent protesters”, in addition to the current total of 110, if roadblocks continue. “This depends entirely on the protesters,” he said. “If they follow police orders and do not interfere with clearing operations there will be no trouble. On the other hand, if they turn violent and interfere with authorities they will face arrest and imprisonment.

He added: “For those who choose violence, the law awaits.”