Unions plan ‘counter summit’ anti-Noboa protests in Cuenca; Guayaquil prison food riot leaves 15 dead

The United Workers’ Front (FUT) is planning anti-government protests Wednesday and Thursday in Cuenca, coinciding with the Ibero-American Summit. Calling it a ‘counter summit,’ FUT President José Villavicencio said the mobilization is intended to make world leaders aware of the failures of President Daniel Noboa’s policies.

“There will be actions Wednesday and Thursday in Cuenca near the sites of the summit, coordinated by the FUT, teacher and student unions,” Villavicencio said. “We are calling on other social sectors to join us in this protest, including the indigenous movement, peasants, housewives and others. We want to let the world know our indignation at the disastrous neoliberal policies of President Daniel Noboa,”

The leadership of the United Workers Front plans protests in Cuenca on Wednesday and Thursday coinciding with the Ibero-American Summit.

Union leaders, police and city officials met Tuesday to determine where protests would be held due to the security requirements of the Ibero-American Summit. National Police said demonstrators would not be allowed near summit meeting locations or the hotels housing attendees.

The FUT claimed the restrictions were a violation of the constitutional right of free speech and association.

Police, military put down Guayaquil prison riot
Police and armed forces restored order at the Litoral Prison in Guayaquil Tuesday afternoon following a riot that left 15 inmates dead and 14 more injured. According to police, the uprising involved gangs fighting for control of food sales at the prison.

The riot was the largest since the government installed military personnel in national prisons in January.

In a statement, the police command said members of the Los Choneros gang were challenged by the Mafia-18 and Duendes gangs over their monopolization of food sales. “The violence was confined to Pavilion 3 of the prison and was initiated by gang leader, alias ‘Freddy,’” it said, without identifying which gang ‘Freddy’ was associated with.

Families of prisoners have complained for months about inadequate food for inmates. They also claim prison officials have done nothing to stop the practice of the confiscation by gangs of food donated by families.