Violent clash over fuel prices in Ecuador leaves 1 protester dead and 12
soldiers injured
[September 29, 2025]
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — A violent clash Sunday in Ecuador between
law enforcement authorities and Indigenous people protesting the end of
a fuel subsidy left one civilian dead and 12 soldiers injured.
The military and the national Indigenous organization behind the
demonstrations traded blame for the violence that developed in the
Andean community north of the capital, Quito. Ecuador’s ministries of
Defense and Interior did not immediately acknowledge the protester’s
death.
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Demonstrators block a road during protests against diesel price hikes
following fuel subsidy cuts by President Daniel Noboa's government, in
Otavalo, Ecuador, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa) |
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The Regional Foundation for Human Rights Advice in a statement
said the male protester “died after being shot.” The
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, the
largest Indigenous organization in the country, in a separate
statement said the 46-year-old man was killed as the result of
government “repression” that left another demonstrator “in
critical condition.”
Ecuador’s Prosecutor’s Office in a post on X said it will open
an investigation with a team specialized in the unlawful use of
force to “guarantee the objectivity of the process.”
The Armed Forces also reported on X that the 12 soldiers were
injured while guarding a convoy transporting food to areas of
northern Ecuador. The post said the soldiers were “ambushed” by
“infiltrated” groups but did not elaborate further.
The CINE called for the demonstrations after President Daniel
Noboa ordered on Sept. 12 the elimination of a state subsidy for
diesel fuel, increasing the price from $1.80 per gallon to $2.80
per gallon.
Sunday marked the seventh day of protests. A state of emergency
and curfew remained in effect in the provinces with the largest
Indigenous populations.
Noboa has accused the protesters of having links to organized
crime and illegal mining groups. Meanwhile, the confederation’s
president, Marlon Vargas, has denounced repression by law
enforcement and called on international organizations to remain
vigilant.
Official figures show that more than 80 people have been
arrested in the demonstrations. Thirteen of them face terrorism
charges.
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