Pro and Anti-Government Protesters Rally in Ecuador After State of Emergency  

Supporters and opponents of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa marched Sunday in the country’s capital of Quito after the government declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces, a move that followed demonstrations over the removal of a fuel subsidy, the Associated Press reported. 

“Diesel goes up, everything goes up,” and “Out with Noboa,” yelled protesters at a park, where they encountered larger numbers of pro-government supporters. 

Police, who said there were no injuries or arrests, used tear gas to disperse the crowd after some demonstrators tried to breach the security cordon protecting the park. 

Late Saturday, the government announced a state of emergency would take effect starting Sunday at midnight in 10 provinces, citing “serious internal unrest.” The order limits freedom of assembly but does not forbid peaceful demonstrations. 

The provinces have large Indigenous populations and have been at the center of unrest that began two weeks ago when the country’s largest such group organized anti-government protests following Noboa’s decision last month to cut fuel subsidies.  

Noboa said the move would save the country $1.1 billion, but the measure raised diesel prices from $1.80 per gallon to $2.80, Agence France-Presse previously reported. 

Diesel is essential in Ecuador for agricultural machinery and transportation, and demonstrators who took part in protests last month said the price increase was threatening their livelihoods. 

A violent clash between Indigenous protesters and police on Sept. 28 led to one death, several injured, and nearly 100 people being detained. On Sunday, demonstrators also called for the detainees to be released. 

Meanwhile, Noboa has refused to reverse the fuel subsidy cut, writing in a post on X that those who turn to violence or engage in criminal activities will be held accountable under the law.