Is Cross Death rapidly approaching?

ECUADOR - In Brief 18 Jun 2022 by Magdalena Barreiro

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Facing the threat of Leonidas Iza, Head of Conaie, to march to Quito and the increasing violence of the protests, last night, President Lasso issued a decree to install the state of exception in three provinces, Pichincha, Imbabura and Cotopaxi. At the same time, he announced economic measures that partially address the ten requests raised by the indigenous movement: an increase in the welfare subsidy, a temporary subsidy to fertilizers whose price has raised due to the war, condoning of farmers’ and small merchants' debts with balances up to $3,000, freezing current gasoline and diesel prices, and declaring the health sector in emergency to accelerate the solution of the scarcity of medicines in public hospitals. The state of exception allowed Quito to restore peace today, but by the end of the afternoon dark clouds formed when the president of the Assembly, Virgilio Saquicela, summoned legislators for a meeting on Monday to review the above-mentioned executive decree with the intention of revoking it and letting Iza march into the capital. This meeting had the approval of 72 legislators. Revoking the decree would imply chaos and destruction similar to that of 2019 and further destabilization of the government. It is not a secret that the intentions of UNES, commanded by Rafael Correa and many members of Pachakutik obedient to Iza, is to get rid of Lasso. Thus, since an impeachment would completely evidence their intentions, it seems they prefer Iza to do the dirty work. Social Christians and Izquierda Democratica have issued official statements declaring they will not vote to revoke the decree. Therefore, to get the necessary 70 votes, all of Pachakutik members and U...