On September 18, the largest indigenous rights group in Ecuador, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), as well as the Indigenous and Peasant Movement of Cotopaxi (MICC) called for an indefinite nationwide strike across Ecuador, effective immediately. The groups are protesting recent price hikes in fuel and the elimination of key subsidies. Subsequently, Ecuador’s government declared a state of emergency and a curfew between 22:00 and 05:00 local time in five provinces with the largest indigenous populations including Carchi, Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Bolívar, and Chimborazo.
President Daniel Noboa has alleged that the protests are funded by the Tren de Aragua gang and has promised to respond to the measures with full force. The government used police and military forces in the early days of the protest to prevent several roadway blockades. President Noboa has also threatened to use force to break up blockades of food supplies or oil wells. Despite these warnings, the protests began in full force on September 22 and spread to cities including Quito, Otovalo, San Miguel del Común, Tabacundo, and Cuenca. Protests are set to be indefinite and to continue throughout the country for at least another week.
Protests prompt logistics challenges across Ecuador’s Sierra region
The nationwide strike has caused significant logistics challenges, particularly across the Sierra provinces of Imbabura, Pichincha, and Cotopaxi. In Imbabura, violent protests in Otavalo included the burning of the local police headquarters and blockades along the Panamericana Norte Highway (E-35), halting truck movement. In Quito (Pichincha Province), demonstrations spread across the Historic Center and commercial districts, disrupting rush-hour traffic, prompting metro closures, and forcing temporary shutdowns along 10 de Agosto Avenue and Avenida América. Further south, Cuenca (Azuay Province) saw a peaceful rally of around 400 people, while the cities of Loja and Los Ríos reported tire burnings, brief road blockades, and one police officer injured. In Guayaquil (Guayas Province), union marches caused short detours but were contained under police supervision. Additional protests also broke out in Zamora (Zamora Chinchipe Province) and Pastaza (Amazon region).
Additionally, inland disruptions stranded cargo trucks at Tabacundo Y and other stretches of the Panamericana Highway, threatening the movement of produce from highland farming areas to coastal markets and ports. The blockades are most serious for the transport of seasonally sensitive crops such as potatoes, pulses, and lemons. Furthermore, the rise in diesel prices has driven up transportation costs to the El Salto de Latacunga market, leading to a roughly a 10% rise in the prices of essential staples such as corn, lemons, carrots, and cassava. Merchants and transporters in Guamote, Chimborazo Province were urged to close businesses in support of the strike, while traders in Guayaquil, Montebello, and Latacunga have voiced concerns over emerging supply shortages.
In the provinces most affected by curfews and blockades, the agricultural industry remains most at risk. Regions such as Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Carchi, and Chimborazo export key agricultural goods including sugar, coffee, corn, wheat, bananas, and dairy products. Road blockades in these regions could disrupt the transport of time-sensitive goods further. In Pichincha Province, where numerous protests have been reported, the capital city of Quito is also home to more diversified manufacturing industries such as the chemical, pharmaceutical, and automotive sectors. Additional protests targeting Quito or routes to and from the city could have a significant impact on the national economy.
While protests took place at Ecuador’s largest port, the Port of Guayaquil, on the afternoon of September 23, no major disruptions to port operations have been reported yet. However, if inland blockades caused by the strike continue to slow truck traffic, knock-on cargo delays and congestion are possible at the port. In the oil & gas industry, state-owned oil producer EP Petroecuador confirmed that production operations have not yet been affected by the demonstrations. However, blockades have halted some fuel transportation, leading to early reports of fuel shortages at gas stations in Ibarra, Imbabura Province. Additional blockades could escalate these shortages and spread the impact to other regions.
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