Thousands of troops mass in Quito to ‘protect’ the capital and to ‘restore order’ in Imbabura Province

An estimated 10,000 Army troops have been transferred in Quito since Thursday as the government prepares to “protect the capital” from protests and to “restore order” to Imbabura Province. In addition to the troops, more than 4,000 National Police have been reassigned to Quito.

Thousands of army troops have arrived in Quito since Thursday.

According to National Police Commander Pablo Dávila, who is coordinating police and military operations, troops and police are being assigned to “sensitive and strategic” areas of Quito, including the government center and the historic district, where large numbers of tourists are expected over the weekend.

“At the moment, the city is peaceful and our intention is to keep it that way,” Dávila said Saturday. “We expect some anti-government protests in the coming days and will ensure that these are carried out peacefully without disrupting normal activities,” he said.

Many of the police and military personnel gathered in Quito will be assigned to what Dávila calls a “mega operation” in Imbabura Province. “This mission will focus on clearing the roadways in the province as well as those that connect Ibarra and Otavalo with Quito and the rest of the country,” says Dávila. “Imbabura has been paralyzed for days by lawless elements of the Conaie strike who have blocked highways and threatened citizens and businesses. These people will be confronted and arrested if necessary.”

The placement of troop in Quito follows a threat by Conaie President Marlon Vargas that strikers may “occupy” Quito if their demands are not met. On Friday, Vargas called the government’s troop deployment an “overreaction and preparation to attack peaceful people exercising their constitutional right to protest.”

Although Dávila refused to provide a timeline for clearing highways in Imbabura, he said the operation will begin in San Miguel del Común and Guamaní in northern Pichincha Province. “This is the entry point to Quito from the north and has suffered repeated closures since the strike began three weeks ago.”

Following a planning meeting for the Imbabura operation, Government Minister John Reimberg said Saturday that the concentration on Imbabura Province is a reaction to Conaie strike plans. “This is where they have decided to make a stand and cause the greatest disruption,” he said. “In 2019 and 2022, they concentrated in Quito and Cuenca, but since they lack the support of earlier strikes, they are focusing on Otavalo, Cotacachi and Ibarra.”

He added: “We owe it to the people of that area to clear the roads and protect them from violence and intimidation they are being confronted with on a daily basis.”