QUITO Demonstrators took to the streets in Ecuador
on Thursday to protest President Rafael Correa's move
to seek a fourth term,but the leftist leader declared that
plans for a paralysing general strike had failed
In office since 2007 ,Correa has drawn increasing
criticism over a constitutional reform package that
would allow him to stand for re-election when his
current term ends in 2007
Discontent has been amplified by an economic
slowdown gripping the South American oil producer
,hit hard by sliding crude prices
Indigenous protesters ,who have been particularly
vocal critics of Correa,blocked roads in six of Ecuadors
24 provinces including the Pan American Highway
to Peru ,officials said,
"We have declared an uprising ,For us ,Correa has
fallen from grace , He doesn't represent us anymore,
said protest leader Carlos Perez,one of dozen's of
indigenous Ecuadorans who made an 800-kilomtre
(500 miles trek) toQuito for the demonstrations,
"We don't want indefinite re-election because we're
going to end up in a dictatorship"he told journalists
But,in a set back for protesters, transport ,education
and health services were all operating normally in
the country's largest cities despite a call for a
general strike.
In a fiery speech to supporters Correa called the
protests a failure Today everyone possible came
together,and they have not managed to achieve
anything,they have failed and continue to fail
because they lack popular support,legality and
legitimacy "Correa said,warning that he will not
be subject to blackmail"
AFP
No comments :
Post a Comment