Ecuador Protests Enter Fourth Day

Parallel pro-government and right-wing demonstrations continued for a fourth day in the Ecuadorean capital of Quito Thursday.

Hundreds of supporters of President Rafael Correa gathered in Shyris Avenue, as their rivals, waving black flags of “mourning” clustered to one end.

Both sides remained largely peaceful, as extra police were drafted in to avoid the pockets of violence of the previous evening.

On Wednesday, opposition demonstrators broke into the Alianza Pais party headquarters, and later assaulted former culture minister Paco Velasco.

One anti-government protester told teleSUR that they had taken to the streets to voice their discontent with Correa, who they described as a “dictator,” in spite of the socialist leader having been elected two years ago with a 57 percent support and his coalition of supporters winning nine elections in recent years.

Another activist explained that the people were unhappy with new taxes imposed by Correa, which they claimed could mean the closure of foreign fashion chain, Zara.

Correa’s supporters, waving bright green flags, support the new taxes, such as a new inheritance tax which will only hit the super rich.