Series of EmergencyNet News Reports Concerning Emerging Governmental Crisis in Ecuador; 30 Jan to 06 Feb 2001 

06 Feb 2001

ECUADOR:

Four Dead As Soldiers Clash With Civilians; Crisis Continues to Escalate

Clashes in a jungle province left at least four civilians dead as Indians opposed to price hikes in fuel and public transportation continued to battle with soldiers on Monday. The clashes brought a halt to talks in Quito between the government and representatives of Ecuador's large Indian movement on ending protests against austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund in order for Ecuador to obtain a US$2 billion loan.

Red Cross officials confirmed radio and television reports that four civilians, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed in the jungle town of Puerto Napo, 75 miles southeast of the capital, Quito. Ecuador's military said only one person had been killed and four people were wounded during attempts by soldiers to clear Indians blocking bridges across the Napo and Misahualli rivers. 

Indian protesters later tried to take over the airport in the town of Tena, about three miles from Puerto Napo. Nine soldiers suffered gunshot wounds and 14 protesters were injured. The army said in a statement that the Indians attacked with guns and sticks of dynamite.

The violence came three days after President Gustavo Noboa's government declared a state of emergency in response to protests against austerity measures that went into effect last month. The government doubled the price of home cooking gas, increased gasoline prices by 25 percent and public bus fares by up to 75 percent. In protest, hundreds of Indians have blockaded highways throughout the central highlands, preventing meat and food from getting into Quito.

Bomb Hits Office In Quito

No injuries were reported when a bomb explosion damaged an office building in Ecuador's capital Quito late on Sunday. The blast occurred at 2300 EST (0400 GMT). Police said they did not know who was the intended target. The blast made a hole in the pavement outside the office building, on the ground floor of which is a failed Ecuadorian bank taken over by the government.

04 Feb 2001

ECUADOR:

Expert Says Kidnappers May Murder More Victims

In remarks published on Saturday, a former police expert said the kidnappers who are holding seven foreign oil workers hostage -- including four Americans -- in Ecuador's Amazon region are likely to murder more of their victims soon if a ransom is not paid. On Wednesday, the body of one victim, 54-year-old Ronald Sander was found shot five times in the back and covered with a sheet that said he had been killed because his oil company refused to pay a demanded ransom.

Fausto Teran, a former colonel from Ecuador's anti-kidnapping police unit, told the El Comercio newspaper: "That is the criminal methodology ... if they dared to send a cadaver, it is possible that they will soon send another and then another." Ecuadorian authorities said negotiations with the kidnappers had stalled over the amount of ransom. Sources close to the investigation said the kidnappers refused to budge from an initial demand of US$80 million.

03 Feb 2001 

ECUADOR:

Government Declares State Of Emergency

After a week of Indian protests against recent bus fare hikes and fuel subsidy cuts, President Gustavo Noboa declared a state of emergency late Friday. A government spokesman said that Noboa took the action after weighing "a situation of national unrest," referring to days of demonstrations in the capital by some 4,000 Indians and blockades of provincial highways in the countryside.

The protesters - led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, Ecuador's largest Indian movement - have occupied Salesiana Polytechnic University near downtown Quito since Monday, using it as a base for demonstrations. Several protesters were injured Tuesday after clashes with police, who used tear gas to break up marches. The Indians have also blockaded provincial highways, preventing meat and produce from getting into the capital, driving up market prices of dwindling food supplies.

Noboa's emergency decree prohibits unauthorized demonstrations, gives authorities the power to restrict travel, and to search homes and property without a court order. Indian movement leader Antonio Vargas said he planned to increase the intensity of the demonstrations after Noboa apparently refused to meet personally with him and other protest organizers.

02 Feb 2001

ECUADOR:

US Oil Worker Found Dead; Kidnapping and Extortion Plot Reported

Authorities said on Thursday that an American oil worker who was kidnapped along with seven other foreigners in Ecuador's north-eastern jungle was found dead. Police identified the victim as Ronald Sander, a technician for Helmerich & Payne Inc, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and the others were kidnapped in October. Sander's body was covered with a white sheet on which the words: "I am a gringo. For non-payment of ransom. HP company" were written.

According to a police report, Sander was found with five gunshot wounds to the back on Wednesday in an isolated jungle region known as El Condor, about 110 miles northeast of the capital, Quito. Officials said the company had been working for four months to attempt to win the release of Sander and the other hostages.

Sander was one of five Americans seized on 12 Oct 1999 from oil camps in Ecuador's El Coca region, about 150 miles east of Quito. The other Americans have been identified as David Bradley, an oil field platform foreman for Helmerich & Payne; and Arnold Alford, Steve Derry and Jason Weber, all employees of the Oregon-based Erickson Air-Crane Co. Also among the kidnap victims are a Chilean, an Argentine and a New Zealander. Two Frenchmen also were seized, but escaped days later.

Authorities have said in recent months that negotiations with the kidnappers - thought to be a criminal gang - had stalled over the amount of ransom demanded. Oil industry and military sources have said that the kidnappers are also strongly suspected in deadly dynamite attacks in December against the country's main oil pipeline. A top oil company executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said last month that the blasts began after a demand for US$12 million was met with a counteroffer of US$500,000. Soon after, the first explosion occurred on 9 December, destroying a section of pipeline in an isolated jungle area, 85 miles northeast of Quito...(article continues in ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Friday, February 2,-2001-Vol. 7, No. 033)

31 Jan 2001

U.S. State Department Issues Public Announcement

ECUADOR: On 31 January, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement for Ecuador: "Americans traveling to or residing in Ecuador should be aware that Ecuador is experiencing disturbances and civil unrest related to government economic policies. The majority of the disturbances have been reported in areas north and south of Quito, around the towns of Otavalo and Latacunga, respectively.

In large cities, demonstrations may occur in public areas such as parks, government buildings and universities, and city streets may be blocked without warning. Protests in Ecuador occasionally turn violent, and the police generally respond by using water cannons and tear gas. While there is no indication that American citizens or institutions will be a focus of these protests, travelers are advised to take common-sense precautions and to avoid any large gatherings. 

Roadblocks have been, and will likely continue to be, erected sporadically in rural areas, especially outside of Quito along the Pan American Highway north and south of the city. It is impossible to predict where or when future roadblocks may occur. Because of these conditions, American citizens in Ecuador should seriously consider deferring road travel into and out of Quito until the demonstrations have stopped and reports indicate that it is safe to travel. Travelers should not attempt to drive through roadblocks."

30 Jan 2001

ECUADOR:

Protesters And Police Clash In Quito

At least ten people were injured when riot police fired tear gas canisters at hundreds of Indians protesting bus fare hikes and fuel subsidy cuts in the capital, Quito. The clashes occurred on Tuesday as the Indians were beginning a march near the Salesiana Polytechnic University, which was occupied by the protesters on Monday.

The injured victims -- including three women and two children -- reportedly had burns and bruises on their scalps, chests and hands caused by tear gas canisters. At least 25 other people were treated for gas inhalation. Thousands of Indians from Ecuador's provinces have arrived in Quito in recent days to intensify national protests against economic austerity measures announced earlier this month by the government.

© EmergencyNet News Service, 2001. All rights reserved. May not be redistributed or otherwise published without the expressed permission of ERRI/EmergencyNet News.

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