Opposition groups in Ecuador will protest in the country’s three largest cities, Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil, Wednesday afternoon, with government supporters simultaneously holding counter-demonstrations in support of President Rafael Correa and what supporters call the Citizens’ Revolution of his PAIS Alliance party.
Central to the opposition protests is the demand that the government scrap proposed constitutional amendments, especially the amendment regarding the elimination of presidential term limits.
The Indigenous organization Conaie — which was part of the coalition that brought President Correa to power in 2006, but which has been increasingly aligned with right-wing banker Guillermo Lasso since 2010 — called for a national mobilization against constitutional amendments.
Nueva jornada de movilizaciones contra enmiendas constitucionales https://t.co/4GK0KFEwJM
— CONAIE (@CONAIE_Ecuador)
November 9, 2015
“New day of protests against constitutional amendments.”
In response to the planned protests, President Correa called in his Twitter account for grassroots supporters to gather in front of Quito’s Presidential Palace in the central Plaza Grande.
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“The same ones as always want to return us to the past,” Correa wrote, calling for participation in what some supporters have promoted as a “festival for democracy.”
Mañana 4 P.M., con paraguas y colores de la Patria, tod@s a la Plaza Grande. Los mismos de siempre nos quieren nuevamente volver al pasado.
— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael)
November 11, 2015
“Tomorrow (Nov. 11) 4 p.m., with umbrellas and colors of the homeland, everyone to the Plaza Grande. The same ones as always want to return us to the past.”
Government supporters also rallied in recent months in response to opposition protests and in support of the government’s re-distributive policies.
The new opposition mobilization is the latest in a wave of action against the government after a relative lull in protest activity since Sep. 17.
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In June, an alliance of historically left- and right-wing groups ramped up their protests against President Correa following the announcement of government plans to introduce a capital gains and inheritance tax aimed at redistributing wealth. The proposed tax laws would impact about 2 percent of Ecuador’s population.
In an effort to ease tensions and promote dialogue, President Correa temporarily withdrew the bills and launched a national conversation in the country focused on wealth distribution and other means of addressing inequality. The talks focus on several laws currently under discussion, including the proposal to increase inheritance tax, and invites Ecuadoreans from various sectors to participate in developing political proposals in the interests of promoting social justice.
#DialogoNacional en Papallacta la mejor herramienta para construir un Ecuador màs justo y equitativo#NapoConRafael. pic.twitter.com/RZfmJJTXcn
— Amanda Ampudia (@AmpudiaAmanda)
November 9, 2015
“National dialogue in Papallacta, the best tool to build a more just and equitable Ecuador.”
While opposition groups leading protests refused to participate, many other groups including labor unions, Indigenous organizations, and social movements opted for talks with the government.
In August, opposition leaders re-launched demonstrations against the government. Many of the protests turned violent.
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The latest round of protests led by opposition groups will include the indigenous organizations Conaie and Ecuaruari, the FUT union, and other groups.
Meanwhile, Ecuadorean lawmakers will continue to meet with citizens and grassroots organizations across the country throughout the rest of this year as part of the national dialogue to discuss various government-led proposals in support of social justice.
VIDEO: Ecuadorean Indigenous Movement Split on Protests