Ecuador experiences national holiday amid protests

Quito, Oct 9 (Prensa Latina) Ecuador is experiencing a national holiday to commemorate the 205th anniversary of Guayaquil's independence amid a day of protests led by the indigenous movement against the economic policies of the Government of President Daniel Noboa.

October 9, 2025
08:38

This will be the 18th day of the national strike convened by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) in rejection of government measures such as the elimination of the diesel subsidy, which raised fuel prices from 1.80 dollars to 2.80 dollars per gallon.

Interior Minister John Reimberg informed that the Executive has a special plan to prevent roadblocks ahead of the four-day holiday that begins this Thursday.

Initially, the holiday was only scheduled for Friday, but Noboa decided to extend it amid the social protests and decreed a temporary reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 12 percent to 8 percent for tourism activities.

Reimberg told local television that the law prohibits road closures, and stated that the Police and Armed Forces will guarantee free movement.

Quito is among the places that will be heavily monitored, after Marlon Vargas, President of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), warned of the possibility of escalating the protests due to a shortage of Government responses.

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