Ecuador blocks streets to protest gasoline price hike

July 2, 2024. – Streets in cities such as Quito and Guayaquil were blocked today to protest against the increase in gasoline prices in Ecuador, a measure ordered by the government of Daniel Noboa.

In the capital, a group of people set fire to tires in Mariscal Sucre Avenue and Morán Valverde Avenue in the north and south of the city, Amazonas (near the northern government platform), Mariscal Sucre Avenue and Condor Ñán to reject the decision.

There were also reports on social networks of similar actions in the coastal city of Guayaquil.

Leaders of the National Union of Educators (UNE) and the Ecuadorian Federation of University Students (FEUE) spoke about these protests on social networks, recalling that the increase in the value of fuel affects the lives of all citizens.

UN Environment President Andres Quixpe said this would mean raising the cost of living and pushing more Ecuadorians into poverty, an order the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Noboa government must comply with, as well as cuts to health and education budgets.

He confirmed that on Thursday, July 4, mobilization will take place in all 24 provinces of the country.

Since last Friday, the price of low-octane gasoline (here called Extra and Ecopaís) has risen from $2.46 to $2.72, following the executive decision to eliminate subsidies. Then, starting July 11, there will be a plan that will see the gallon rise by up to 5% or fall by up to 10% per month, depending on the evolution of international prices for oil and fuel.

The government offered financial compensation to taxi owners and other public transport operators in an attempt to stave off an increase in fare costs, but many believe the move is not enough to avoid a domino effect on the cost of living.

In Ecuador, in October 2019 and June 2022, social organizations, indigenous peoples, workers, students and people from all walks of life took to the streets in historic strikes to reject the neoliberal agenda of then-Presidents Lenín Moreno and Guillermo Lasso to eliminate fuel subsidies.