2019 Ecuadorian protests facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2019 Ecuadorian protests
Part of the global anti-austerity movement
Date	3 October 2019 – 13 October 2019
Location	Ecuador
Caused by	Austerity measures Neoliberal economic policies
Goals	Return of fuel subsidies End of Austerity measures Resignation of President Lenin Moreno
Methods	Protest marches, picketing, strikes, civil disobedience, riots
Resulted in	Austerity measures reversed
Parties to the civil conflict
Lenín Moreno Administration Armed Forces of Ecuador National Police of Ecuador Proud and Sovereign Homeland Party Moreno opponents National Confederation of Trade Unions Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador Taxi, bus and truck drivers and unions University Students
Lead figures
Lenín Moreno Administration President Lenín Moreno Rafael Correa
Casualties
Injuries	Two dozen police officers injured
Detained	570 (Oct 8)

The 2019 Ecuadorian protests were a series of large demonstrations and some riots in Ecuador. People were protesting against new rules from President Lenín Moreno's government. These rules ended fuel subsidies and introduced austerity measures.

Fuel subsidies are like discounts from the government that make fuel cheaper. Austerity measures are actions a government takes to cut down on spending. This often means reducing public services or increasing taxes.

Why the Protests Started

The protests began on October 3, 2019. Taxi, bus, and truck drivers were the first to protest. They were upset because the government planned to stop making fuel cheaper.

Soon, Indigenous peoples groups joined the protests. University students and labour unions also became part of the movement. These groups announced a plan for a very long general strike. They said it would continue until the government changed its mind.

Government's Response and Relocation

On October 4, 2019, President Moreno declared a state of emergency. This gave the government special powers to handle the situation. The protests had blocked many main roads and bridges in the capital city, Quito.

President Moreno said he would not change the fuel plans. He called the people protesting "criminals." On October 8, 2019, the President announced that his government had moved. They went from Quito to the coastal city of Guayaquil. This happened because protesters had taken over parts of the capital.

The Agreement and Outcome

Late on October 13, the Ecuadorian government and CONAIE (a big group of indigenous people) talked on TV. They reached an agreement. Both sides decided to work together on new economic plans. These plans would help control government spending and debt.

As a result of this agreement, the austerity measures were reversed. This meant the government brought back the fuel subsidies. The protests then came to an end.

Images for kids

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  Former President Rafael Correa (left) attends President-elect Lenín Moreno's (middle) 'changing of the guard' ceremony. The two PAIS leaders were considered close allies before Moreno's "De-correaization" efforts started after he assumed the presidency.

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  Lenín Moreno during his inauguration in 2017

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  Protests on 11 October

See also

In Spanish: Manifestaciones en Ecuador de octubre de 2019 para niños