State of emergency declared in seven provinces, including Azuay, following diesel fuel protests

President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in seven provinces Tuesday following highway blockages by truckers protesting the increase in the price of diesel fuel. Azuay Province, which experienced two roadblocks on Monday, was included in the 60-day emergency order.

Protesting truck drivers in Carchi Province blocked two highways with vehicles and barricades on Tuesday morning.

The other provinces in emergency status are Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Bolívar, Cotopaxi and Santo Domingo, all of which were affected by trucker roadblocks on Monday.

According to presidential spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo, the emergency was declared due to “an attack on public order and episodes of violence that affected the fundamental rights of free movement, work and economic activities.”

She acknowledged that the “attacks” followed the elimination of the diesel fuel subsidy announced Friday by Noboa.

The emergency decree will be in force for 60 days, a period Jaramillo said was necessary to restore and maintain order in the seven provinces.” She said the decree would be renewed if necessary.

Although the emergency allows for the suspension of freedom of assembly, Jaramillo said it does not apply to peaceful protests, such as Tuesday’s “March for Water” in Cuenca.

The emergency allows the mobilization of the armed forces and the National Police as circumstances require. Jaramillo said the primary purpose of the decree is to keep highways open and to maintain the orderly transit of essential goods throughout the country.