Police clear Imbabura roads as protests continue; LP gas subsidy will remain; Economy forecast to grow

The National Police command said Thursday that it has cleared all but two roadblocks in Imbabura Province. “The work is progressing on schedule and we expect all major roadways to be open to traffic by Friday,” Interior Minister John Reimberg said, adding that if new blockages are installed by protesters, they will be removed quickly.

Reimberg said that a total of 10 blockages had been removed by Thursday afternoon.

Police clear a roadblock Thursday near Otavalo.

Although the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) announced Wednesday that the national strike is over, not all its affiliates in Imbabura Province agree. The Union of Indigenous Peasant Organizations of Cotacachi (Unorac) said it planned to continue its “resistance to the president,” including maintaining roadblocks.

On Thursday, more than a thousand protesters marched through the streets of Cotacachi in what Unorac called “the great march for dignity of the people.”

According to Reimberg, both the unblocking of roads and Thursday’s march were mostly peaceful. “There were minor incidents between security forces and protesters, but few projectiles were thrown and we were not required to use excessive force,” he said. He added that 3,000 police and military personnel will remain in Imbabura Province until “total peace” is restored.

LP gas subsidy will remain
In a radio interview Thursday, President Daniel Noboa said the government has no plans to reduce or eliminate the subsidy for LP gas. “This has not been discussed and there are no plans to consider it,” he said. “Any suggestion otherwise is fake news.”

With the elimination of the subsidy for diesel fuel, the gas subsidy becomes the country’s largest, at an estimated annual cost of $870 million.

The price of the standard 15-kilo gas cylinder is $1.65, plus delivery costs. According to Noboa, the international market price is more than $12.

Azuay Conaie affiliate concentrates on ‘No’ referendum vote
Following Conaie’s announcement ending the national strike, the Federation of Peasant Organizations of Azuay (FOA) announced it will continue “active opposition” to the government but is shifting its priority to defeating President Daniel Noboa’s referendum questions November 16.

“We will maintain the fight to ensure that the rights of all people, including the indigenous and campesinos, are respected,” said FOA President Lauro Sigcha. “At the same time, we are organizing a ‘No’ campaign for Noboa’s consultation.”

Economy forecast to grow
According to the International Monetary Fund, Ecuador’s economy will be one of the fastest growing in South American in 2025. The IMF predicted growth of 4.3% following a contraction of .03% in 2024.

The IMF predicted double-digit growth in exports as well as an increase in household consumption. “The country is rebounding from several years of minimal or negative growth of GDP. The trend in the first eight months of 2025 is strong and will most likely continue into 2026.”