Bigger blockades promised in Ecuador

The protests in Ecuador are easing up but bigger blockades are being planned.

Ecuadorian Indians promise bigger blockades

Protests by Ecuador's indigenous peoples against a proposed free trade deal with United States eased on Friday but leaders warned they will call bigger blockades if the government insists in signing the agreement.

Angry indigenous groups blocked roads and burned tyres during four days and Thursday evening returned to their villages. The government welcomed the end of the recent wave of protests, which it said heralded the return of normality to Ecuador.
Public Administration Secretary Jose Modesto Apolo said that “the Indian protest has ended and the country is going back to normal”.

Apolo added that the Cotopaxi province protest ended after the government awarded regional authorities 2 million US dollars for infrastructure works.

Protests paralyzed 8 of the country’s 22 provinces and caused great disruptions in the capital Quito.

But protest leaders remained unconvinced by government efforts to ease the crisis and Indian Congress member Jorge Guaman warned that "an uprising" will take place between March 23 and April 6, --when the final round of negotiations takes place in Washington--, if Ecuadorian President Alfredo Palacio signs the FTA.
“By no means are the demonstrations over”, highlighted Guaman. complete article