The declaration of a state of emergency by Guillermo Lasso is more likely about quelling opposition than guaranteeing security for Ecuadorians

A Special Commission for Truth and Justice was appointed to investigate the alleged human rights violations committed by the Ecuadorian state against protesters in October 2019. Juan Carlos Solines, a member of the commission, talks about its conclusions

To justify the budget cuts and reductions in public servant’s salaries, Moreno argued that drop in oil prices and the Covid-19 outbreak have placed the country in a critical situation

In the afternoon, in response to the mass protests, Moreno declared a “state of emergency”, allowing the executive greater powers like ability to mobilize funds, censure media, deploy police and military, and shut transportation hubs.