Ecuador Government Declines Conditions Set By Indigenous Protesters

The government of Ecuador on Wednesday declined the conditions set by the Indigenous demonstrators.

Indigenous Leader Leonidas Iza demanded lower gas prices as well as the abolishment of the state of emergency set on some of Ecuador's provinces, Associated Press reported. Iza also wanted the presence of the military and the police be removed in places around Quito where demonstrators are gathered.

However, Ecuador's Minister Francisco Jimenez on Wednesday told a television network that the timing of the demands from the Indigenous protesters is not right.

"This is not the time to put more conditions. It is not the time to demand greater demands. It is the time to sit down and talk. We are on the tenth day of the strike...and we can't keep waiting, the capital can't keep waiting, the country can't keep waiting." Jimenez underscored.

Indigenous Demonstrator Dies Amid Protests in Ecuador

An Indigenous demonstrator on Tuesday died in the light of the protests in the country.

According to Al Jazeera, an estimated 10,000 Indigenous people marched to the streets in Quito, the country's capital, to voice out their frustration with Ecuador's government over several issues.

The protest also took place in other areas of the South American country, including the Amazon town of Puyo, where a member of the Quichua Indigenous group died on Tuesday. The victim, who reportedly participated in a roadblock, died amid a confrontation with law enforcement.

Lina Maria Espinosa of the Alliance for Human Rights Lawyer told AFP that the victim on Tuesday was hit in the face by a tear gas bomb. However, the police claimed that the victim died after handling an explosive device.

It was not the first death reported amid the protests in Quito.

A young man reportedly fell into a ravine in a town located on the outskirts of Ecuador's capital during a demonstration, according to the police. The prosecutor's office of Ecuador has opened a homicide investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, Police Commander Fausto Salinas noted that at least 80 people had been arrested amid the protests. Furthermore, more than 100 members of the security forces were injured in the light of the demonstrations.

Ecuador Indigenous Protests

The Indigenous protests began on June 14 when the Indigenous Nationalities Confederation called for an indefinite strike over issues such as fuel prices and an increased budget for education.

Reports claimed that protests have been especially violent in six provinces in the north-central part of the South American country.

Protesters reportedly carried sticks, fireworks, and shields made out of road signs. They were met with crackdowns by security forces, including authorities mounted on horses and motorcycles who attempted to disperse the crowds.

Groups of protesters also roamed Quito and attacked vehicles and civilians, forcing the closures of businesses.

The situation in the country prompted the embassies of the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Britain to issue a public statement expressing their concerns for the citizens of Ecuador, AP noted.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Ecuador Protests Over Rising Living Costs Turn Deadly - From Al Jazeera English