Demonstrators clash with riot police as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, in Quito on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
Protesters in Ecuador threw projectiles at riot police Wednesday in a second day of violent protests over a fuel price hike ordered by the government to secure an IMF loan. The violence broke out as thousands of people representing indigenous groups, farmers and labor unions marched on a square in downtown Quito near the government headquarters.
After clashes broke out in the area Tuesday, the government of President Lenin Moreno posted security forces there to keep the march from reaching the plaza. Protesters on Wednesday broke off from the main procession and hurled rocks at riot police, who fought back with volleys of tear gas.
The protesters are demanding that Moreno reinstate fuel subsidies that were rescinded after $4.2 billion in loans were agreed with the International Monetary Fund. His government has held talks with protest groups but the march proceeded anyway.
On Tuesday, clashes between security forces and protesters broke out near Congress and demonstrators -- many of them indigenous men armed with sticks and whips -- surged through a security cordon and into the building. They rushed into the meeting room and occupied the podium, but were soon evicted by security forces.
Moreno subsequently ordered an overnight curfew to protect public buildings. He declared a state of emergency over the nationwide protests last week. The demonstrations broke out after increases of up to 120 percent in fuel prices came into force on October 3.
They have so far left one civilian dead and 77 people injured, the majority of them security forces, the government said. A total of 477 people have been detained. (AFP)
Riot police confront demonstrators during clashes in Quito as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
A demonstrator clashes with riot police as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, in Quito on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
A demonstrator throws a Molotov cocktail at riot police during clashes in Quito, as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
Protesters march against the sharp rise in fuel prices sparked by authorities' decision to scrap subsidies in Quito on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
Demonstrators protect themselves with makeshift shields during clashes with riot police in Quito, as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
Riot police confront demonstrators during clashes in Quito as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Mariana Suarez/AFP via Getty Images)
A demonstrator hits a riot police vehicle with a stick during clashes in Quito, as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
Riot police confront demonstrators during clashes in Quito as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
Demonstrators clash with riot police in Quito, as thousands march against Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP via Getty Images)
An anti-government demonstrator poses with a clown mask during clashes with the police as he protests against President Lenin Moreno and his economic policies, in Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
An anti-government demonstrators hurls stones at police during clashes in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
Anti-government demonstrators gather behind a burning barricade during a protest against President Lenin Moreno and his economic policies, in Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
An anti-government demonstrator holds a damaged national flag during a protest march against President Lenin Moreno and his economic policies, in Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
Anti-government demonstrators gather in El Arbolito Park to march against President Lenin Moreno and his economic policies in Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
A woman holds a religious image during a protest against President LenÃn Moreno's decision to end subsidies that led to a sharp increase in fuel prices, in Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
Protesters run from an oncoming armored vehicle and riot police during clashes in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
Protesters prepare a makeshift firework launcher during clashes with security forces in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
Anti-government protesters, stones in hand, run during clashes in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
An anti-government demonstrator, wearing a national flag as a cape, stands by a burning tire during clashes with police in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Oct. 8, 2019. (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)
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