This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
Published on October 13, 2019, Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in Quito, deploying 75,000 military and police personnel to quell the violence.
Moreno announced on Twitter that the order would 'facilitate the work of public forces against intolerable outbreaks of violence.'
Violence continued in Quito on Saturday, despite the indigenous movement leading the protests reversing course and agreeing to direct talks with Moreno.
Protesters ransacked and set fire to the building housing the comptroller general's office, while police fired tear gas at demonstrators near the National Assembly building.
Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo said 30 people were arrested outside the comptroller's office, and police evacuated the area to put out the fire.
Protest leaders denied involvement in the attacks on the TV station or the comptroller general's office, with CONAIE, the indigenous umbrella group, stating, 'We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas.'
The demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to the ombudsman's office.
