Poll shows support for Noboa, opposition to the strike; More rain forecast; Imbabura suffers gas shortage; Tourists flock to Cuenca, Salinas and Olón

A new poll by public opinion agency Click Report indicates strong support for President Daniel Noboa’s handling of Conaie strike protests and rejection of the tactics of protesters, especially the blockage of highways. Click director Francis Romero said his pollsters are still conducting interviews and complete poll results will be released later this week.

“From the data we have collected so far, it is clear that the vast majority of Ecuadorians do not agree with the strike and most believe the government’s response is justified,” Romero said during an interview on Ecuavisa. “Although there is support for some of Conaie’s demands, including reduction of the VAT and for increased spending for health care and education, there is little support for actions by strikers that disrupt transportation and commerce.”

Umbrellas were essential equipment over the weekend in Cuenca.

He added that a majority of indigenous people also reject roadblocks and intimidation against those who want to maintain their daily routines. “Like other citizens, they need to go to work and open their businesses to make a living. They oppose efforts of violent strikers to shut down communities.”

Two other polls taken at the beginning of the strike also showed support for the government and against roadblocks.

More rain forecast
The National Institute of Meteorology (Inamhi) predicts more rain throughout the country through Wednesday. Heavy rain Saturday and Sunday caused flooding and landslides, especially in the inter-mountain valley.

“Unseasonable heavy amounts of rains will continue through October 15 and possibly beyond,” Inamhi said in a Sunday bulletin. “This is the result of a combination of atmospheric factors, including instability in the Amazon basin caused by the interaction of cold air masses from the south with warm tropical air masses.”

In the inter-mountain valley, Inamhi said heaviest rains will occur in Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Azuay and Loja provinces.

Inamhi noted the “dramatic contrast” of 2025 with 2024. “We appear to be on schedule for one of the wettest years on record in 2025. This follows one of the driest years, which led to the electric blackouts.”

Imbabura suffers gas shortages
Roadblocks in Imbabura Province are preventing the delivery of LP gas and many residents are accusing distributors who have supplies of price gouging. Although the shortage is most severe in Otavalo, residents of Cotacachi and Ibarra also report difficulty buying gas.

Fights have been reported outside the offices of two distributors in Otavalo who have limited supplies, while several small distributors say they have no gas at all.

The Otavalo mayor’s office says “favoritism for money” in gas distribution is being practiced by some distributers and it plans to turn over evidence to prosecutors.

Tourists flock to Cuenca, Salinas and Olón
Ecuadorians filled hotel rooms in Cuenca and several coastal resorts over the holiday weekend, avoiding areas of the country disrupted by the Conaie strike. Hotels reported near-full occupancy in Montanita, Salinas and Olón over the four-day holiday and 75% in Cuenca.

At the same time, Tourism Ministry officials report hotel bookings were low in Quito, where weekend protests discouraged visitors, and “near zero” in Imbabura Province, where the Conaie strike is centered. “It is natural for tourists to go where they feel safest, and that is why we hope for a quick resolution of the strike,” the ministry said in a statement.