The drive, organized by the Autonomous Front of Organized Resistance (FARO), began at the Central University of Ecuador and moved through various parts of Quito, with participants chanting slogans such as “Noboa out, out.”

Hatari Ulcuango, president of the Catholic University Student Federation, stated that the youth mobilizations mark the beginning of further actions and highlighted that the march stemmed from the autonomous organization of students and social collectives.

Ulcuango also criticized the state of the electrical grid and remrmbered government promises to guarantee energy supplies.

“Four years ago, they promised us electricity; two years ago, they promised us electricity again, and yet we are already experiencing blackouts,” he declared.

The student leader also drew attention to the shortage of medicines in the public health system, as well as the impact of informal labor and underemployment on millions of people.

During the mobilization, participants also expressed solidarity with Palestine.

A Palestinian flag led part of the march as demonstrators walked toward the Israeli diplomatic mission.

After several hours of marching through the streets of Quito, there were reports of clashes between police and protesters; the latter claimed they were subjected to a crackdown by uniformed officers during the anti-government demonstrations.

Similar protests took place in other Ecuadorian cities, such as Cuenca, where students last week rejected Noboa’s presence at the university in that southern city.

jdt/ga/avr