After Week of Violence, Ecuador Opposition Protests Continue

​After this past week of demonstrations, where over 116 police officers and members of the armed forces were injured and at least 60 people detained, some Indigenous groups aligned with right-wing movements have vowed to continue their protests and strike against the government of President Rafael Correa.

Representative of the indigenous confederation Conaie Katy Betancourt told the press, "We are organized, and we are going to see what strategies we can employ to continue strengthening this process, and we are already seeing the fruits of this."

Conaie, Ecuarunari and other opposition Indigenous movements have marched with the conservative CREO party, led by prominent banker Guillermo Lasso and other right-wing sectors. Together, they are demanding that proposed constitutional reforms be dropped and the government be ousted.

"They are marching with the Banker Lasso, with Alvaro Noboa, with Jaime Nebot, and at the same time with sectors of the Indigenous movement who are refusing to enter in dialogue (with the government), and with those who are part of this destabilization strategy," said Legislator of the PAIS Alliance Party Virgilio Hernandez in an interview with teleSUR English.

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A permanent vigil is being held in front of the presidential palace in Quito’s Independence Plaza, where government supporters have gathered, enjoying festivities and showing support for the government.

"We are all here, with this permanent honor to support democracy,” said Vladimir Iza, a participant in the vigil. “We are seeing that the dialogue is open for everyone, but there are people from the opposition that want to delegitimize this democratic process."

Analysts have classified the destabilization attempts in Ecuador as part of a so-called a “soft coup.” President Rafael Correa has warned citizens that this strategy, which is believed to be utilized by the international right-wing, seeks to slowly bring down the progressive governments of the region.

"This is a soft coup, heating up the streets, generating incidents, it is a national and international campaign without precedent that looks to discredit and delegitimize," said President Rafael Correa when he greeted crowds from the balcony of the Carondelet palace.

Government supporters have said they will continue to gather in the Independence Plaza as long as the opposition maintains their protest. An assembly of opposition Indigenous groups and a march are scheduled for Friday in Ecuador's capital. The opposition has said that this strike is indefinite, and that they will continue mobilizing actions across the country.