Estimated reading time: 5 minutes – Written by Takiri Founder Stephanie Ectors
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely curious to know about traveling to Ecuador, but you’ve also read concerning news about the 12-day strike in October 2019 that paralyzed the country. It got you wondering: is it still safe to travel to Ecuador? The short answer is YES. Yes, it’s safe to travel to Ecuador. The strike was over after the government and the indigenous leaders struck a deal. Within hours, the protests ended and people massively took to the streets… but this time to clean up the city together in a modern minga, a pre-Incan tradition which means a group of people rolling up their sleeves and working together on a common project that can benefit the community, like maintaining a rural road or an irrigation channel.
One week after the October strikes, things have gone back to normal. You can fly to Ecuador or enter by land from Colombia and Peru. Roadblocks in and between cities have been lifted, public transportation runs smoothly, supermarkets and shops are back to their normal schedules.
More importantly, people await your visit. Tourism contributes significantly to the South-American country’s economy. Year after year, Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands welcome an increasing number of travelers looking to discover the country’s exceptional nature. We’re not just trying to convince you to come visit (these videos from the Ministry of Tourism and about our coffee and cacao experience will do that for us).
We’re providing you the kind of insight into the protests that you will not likely get anywhere else. Your favorite media probably highlighted the indigenous movement as the motor of the strike, and that demonstrations instantly ceased when an agreement was reached with indigenous leaders. But why is it that the political power of the indigenous movement has only been sparsely covered by the international press? In order to understand the evolution of the protests and the road to a ‘peace’ agreement, it is indispensable to have some different background information, that is, if you want to know more about the way Ecuadorians make history.
THE BASICS OF THE OCTOBER 2019 PROTESTS
To receive a 4.2 billion dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno agreed to implement a package of austerity reforms. An important measure was the elimination of the 40-year old fuel subsidies, effectively doubling gas prices overnight. The October protests were initiated by the transportation sector (taxis, public buses, truck drivers) which set up roadblocks on the principal roads leading to the major cities of Quito and Guayaquil and called for a nationwide strike against the elimination of fuel subsidies. The indigenous movement called for a nationwide strike against the government’s economic measures and mobilized tens of thousands of Ecuadorians to march to Quito and Guayaquil. Students and unions also joined the protests.
Skepticism of the IMF runs strong in Ecuador and throughout Latin America, where many blame austerity measures for economic hardship. These measures would significantly affect a large and economically fragile part of the population, the indigenous communities included. Protesters feared its harmful effect and demanded the derogation of the decree eliminating the fuel subsidies.
WHO ARE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF ECUADOR?
The country’s abundance in natural diversity is mirrored in its multicultural people. Spread across the four regions: coast, Andes, Amazon, and Galapagos, you’ll find about 27 self-identifying ethnicities. Each has a strong identity and often own language. Currently, it’s estimated that 25% of the Ecuadorian population is indigenous or native.
And the rest of the population? Most Ecuadorians consider themselves mestizos, of mixed heritage (Spanish, Native-American, and Afro-Ecuadorian). We can still find a strong presence of pre-Columbian or native roots in the DNA of Ecuadorians. A recent study found that 52% of the costeños (from the coastal region), 65% of the serranos (from the mountain area), and 67% of Amazonians have Native-American genes.
Generally speaking, the indigenous communities live in rural areas of the country and are dedicated to agricultural activities. These social groups are often confronted with precarious living conditions and are more likely to face economic hardship.
THE POLITICAL POWER OF THE (INDIGENOUS) PEOPLE
Throughout Ecuador’s history, the indigenous movement has always had some kind of political strength, but it was only in the 1980s they consolidated that at a national level, founding the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), and other organizations with similar objectives.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Ecuador faced economic turmoil and grave political instability. Several presidents were overthrown by popular protests. During those years, indigenous movements did not only prove to be able to mobilize large numbers of supporters to march to the seat of the political power in Quito to express their discontent with government policies; they also managed to sway demonstrators to persevere in their actions as long as necessary. The indigenous movement often was the heart and the motor of the popular protests.
Since then, no grand popular manifestations have taken place in Ecuador until the last one in October 2019.
THE INDIGENOUS WAY OF PROTESTING
By now, you understand that indigenous leaders not only can mobilize a big crowd but also that when they do, they have the power to paralyze the entire country. Another key element to understanding the October protests is how the indigenous communities approach a national strike.
Historically, communities from all over the country marched to the heart of political power. Nowadays most come by other modes of transport: pick-up trucks, buses, and minivans.
The strikes are both generation and gender-inclusive. Native communities strongly feel every single person is an important stakeholder in society. Everyone takes part in a mobilization: men and women, the elderly, young people and even children.
Once in Quito, the movement marches towards political power symbols like the parliament and the presidential palace, passionately chanting protest songs and carrying signs with slogans and demands. At night, the crowd gathers in so-called zonas de paz (peace zones) to eat and rest.
A TELEVISED CONFLICT NEGOTIATION
Almost two weeks into the national strike, the president and the leader of the CONAIE agreed to open dialogue towards a peaceful solution. Here’s the twist: the indigenous leaders put one very innovative condition on the table: the conversation had to be broadcasted live on television and social media to inform all Ecuadorians (remember, everyone is a stakeholder in society?). As far as we know, conflict resolution talks, or political negotiations, are usually never broadcasted in real-time and followed by millions of people.
Each side at the negotiations outlined their positions in the first hour or so before the United Nations mediator announced a break. Just a few hours later president Moreno agreed to cancel the disputed austerity package. Indigenous leaders, in turn, called on their followers to end protests and street blockades.
As sudden as the strikes and turmoil began, they were over and calmness returned.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re intrigued to know more about Ecuador and its political history. Check out the experiences we offer.
Note: In this article, we give you more insights into the October 2019 protests and the current state of Ecuador, focusing on the underexposed political power of indigenous movement. We do not attempt to give an overview of the events (mentioning the unjustifiable violence or violations of human rights) or make political analyses, as we’re certain you will find that information elsewhere.
Want to read more?
The Guardian: The IMF is hurting countries it claims to help, Ecuador protests end after deal struck with indigenous leaders and Indigenous Ecuadorians too strong to be ignored after deal to end protests
Washington Post: Ecuador’s indigenous people are leading the anti-government protests. They have a record of ousting presidents and Celebration, cleanup in Ecuador as deal ends nationwide protests — for now
RT: Why are protests raging around the globe?
Human Rights Watch: Ecuador: Reports of Excessive Response to Protest Violence
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