Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno on Monday said he temporarily moved government operations from the capital Quito to the port city of Guayaquil amid protests against his termination of a fuel subsidy, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Why it matters: Only 2 Ecuadorian presidents have completed a full 4-year term over the past 27 years, but no previous president in recent Ecuadorian history has moved the government to avoid unrest, per WSJ. Moreno called a state of emergency on Oct. 4.
Context: Moreno took office in 2017 pledging to maintain his leftist processor's social policies. However, last week he announced that his administration would end a 4-decade-old, $1.4 billion-a-year fuel subsidy which he said was holding down fuel prices and enabling smuggling and corruption.
- His announcement triggered strikes by transport unions. Indigenous groups later joined in and have blocked roads and highways.
- The government said on Monday that it was suspending production in 3 oil fields in the Amazon region after protesters seized the facilities. The seizures affected 12% of the country's oil production.
- So far, at least 500 people have been arrested as the protest enters its 4th day.
What's next: Thousands have traveled to Quito for a large protest planned for Wednesday, according to the BBC.
