- Title: Ecuadorans protest at Mexican embassy against refuge for opposition lawmakers
- Date: 17th October 2019
- Summary: QUITO, ECUADOR (OCTOBER 16, 2019) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MEXICAN EMBASSY IN QUITO WITH CHANTS HEARD FROM PROTESTERS OUTSIDE SECURITY OUTSIDE EMBASSY PROTESTER HOLDING UP PLACARD THAT READS (Spanish) "WE HAVE COME TO TAKE OUR THE GARBAGE" PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE EMBASSY PROTESTER HOLDING UP ECUADORAN FLAG, PROTESTERS CHANTING (Spanish) "OUT WITH THE RATS" PROTESTER HOLDING UP ECUADORAN FLAGS PROTESTER HOLDING UP PLACARD THAT READS (Spanish) "THERE'S NOTHING TO FEAR IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER, JUAN CARLOS IZA, SAYING: "The Ecuadoran people will not give refuge in an embassy in Quito, Ecuador, to (Virgilio) Hernandez, Gabriela Rivadeneira, Doris Solis, (Edwin) Jarrin, (Carlos) Viteri. Do not give them shelter. They are accountable to the people of Ecuador." PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE EMBASSY, CHANTING AND HOLDING UP PLACARDS PROTESTER WEARING MEXICAN SOCCER SHIRT AND A BAG OVER HIS HEAD WITH MESSAGE ON IT THAT READS (Spanish) "SHAME" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE EMBASSY VARIOUS OF SESSION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DURING MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR PROTEST VICTIMS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LAWMAKER, JUAN LLORET, SAYING: "Following the sad scenario of recent times in Ecuador, after an intense day of social protests, the next regrettable step of the Lenin Moreno government is the process of political persecution for leaders in Ecuador, leaders of the citizen's revolution, of Correismo (political allegiance to former president Rafael Correa). Unfortunately, three members of the assembly have been victims of harassment by people close to the government." LLORET DURING REUTERS INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LAWMAKER, JUAN LLORET, SAYING: "On Sunday (October 13) morning there was a raid at the home of the former president of the National Assembly, Gabriela Rivadeneira, where two children were put under the care of their grandmother, having been witness to vandalism against the house of the former Assembly president. Following this, a decision was taken with her spouse to seek asylum within the Mexican consulate. Soledad Buendia and Carlos Viteri also (took that same decision), to ensure their personal safety and also that of their family." LLORET DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION LAWMAKER, JUAN LLORET, SAYING: "Unfortunately, Ecuador's Assembly did not play a leading role (in the protests). Unfortunately, the National Assembly, as the first power of the state in Ecuador, turned its back on the Ecuadoran people, it did not fulfill its legal and constitutional powers. There was an opportunity to revoke the curfew that descended into violence." LAWMAKERS DURING SESSION
- Embargoed: 31st October 2019 02:18
- Keywords: Mexican embassy opposition lawmakers protection refuge President Lenin Moreno protests austerity
- Location: QUITO, ECUADOR
- City: QUITO, ECUADOR
- Country: Ecuador
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B1CKCHZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Protesters gathered outside the Mexican embassy in Ecuador's capital Quito on Wednesday (October 16), calling for an end to the protection of and shelter fir six people linked to the opposition amidst violent protests in the country.
Mexico's foreign ministry said on Monday (October 14) that those seeking refuge include legislators and their spouses.
The embassy on Saturday (October 12) offered protection and shelter to opposition legislator Gabriela Rivadeneira, a member of the party of former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, whose allies have been accused of stirring up unrest by President Lenin Moreno.
Opposition lawmakers, who held a moment of silence in Congress for protest victims, claim the government is targetting them.
Moreno this week scrapped a law to cut expensive fuel subsidies after days of violent protests against the IMF-backed measure, returning fuel prices to prior levels until a new measure can be found.
(Production: Leonardo Benassatto, Cristina Munoz) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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