Ecuador’s bishops urge dialogue as protests over fuel price hikes turn violent. CONAIE denounces repression; Noboa declares emergency in 10 provinces.
Newsroom (08/10/2025, Gaudium Press )Ecuador’s Catholic bishops have called for dialogue and peace as the nation grapples with escalating violence during nationwide protests led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) against government-imposed fuel price increases, local media reported.
The unrest erupted in mid-September following the government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies, a move aimed at addressing fiscal challenges but which sparked widespread discontent. On September 15, truck drivers initiated road blockades, paralyzing key highways. The protests quickly escalated into a national strike, drawing in indigenous communities, workers, and ordinary citizens frustrated by rising costs and economic hardship.
Tensions reached a new high on Tuesday, October 7, when President Daniel Noboa’s motorcade came under attack in the El Tambo area of Cañar Province, where he was scheduled to inaugurate infrastructure projects on the sixteenth day of the mobilization. According to Inés Manzano, Ecuador’s Minister of Environment and Energy, a crowd of approximately 500 people surrounded the president’s vehicle, hurling stones and allegedly leaving bullet holes in the car. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscored the growing volatility of the protests.
CONAIE, the country’s leading indigenous organization, condemned what it described as the “militarization of El Tambo” and accused the Noboa administration of repressing peaceful demonstrations. The group has demanded the reversal of the fuel price hikes and greater inclusion in policy decisions affecting indigenous and marginalized communities.
In response to the unrest, the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (CEE) issued a statement during a meeting in Azogues, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue to resolve the crisis. “Violence will never be the path to a better Ecuador,” the bishops declared, warning that it endangers lives, harms innocent people, undermines the rule of law, and disrupts social peace. The CEE acknowledged the right to peaceful protest, particularly for those whose grievances have gone unaddressed, but emphasized that constructive dialogue is the only way to bridge the deepening political and social divide.
“Our first appeal has always been for dialogue and peace,” said David de la Torre, Secretary General of the CEE and Auxiliary Bishop of Quito. “This appeal extends to all parties involved—from the government to social and indigenous organizations and civil society as a whole—as a mission at the service of the people.”
The government has responded with force, declaring a state of emergency in ten of Ecuador’s 24 provinces to curb the violence and prevent further escalation. The decree, signed by President Noboa, grants authorities expanded powers to deploy security forces and impose restrictions on public gatherings. The measure has drawn criticism from protest leaders, who argue it exacerbates tensions and stifles legitimate dissent.
As the strike continues, Ecuador remains at a crossroads. The bishops’ call for dialogue reflects a broader hope for reconciliation, but with both sides entrenched, the path to peace remains uncertain. The government faces mounting pressure to address the economic grievances fueling the protests while restoring order in a nation on edge.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form Fides and AP
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