Ecuadorian president says protests are meant to remove him from power

President of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso. File photoMEXICO CITY, Jun 20The protests of the indigenous population of Ecuador against the economic and social policies of the country's leadership are designed to remove the president from power, said the head of state, Guillermo Lasso. «We reached out, called for dialogue, but they do not want peace, they want chaos. They want to overthrow the president. I am here I'm not going to hide, but I'm here to protect all your families… Democracy or strike is a big fight, a fight for democracy,» Lasso said in an address on his Twitter blog.The President of Ecuador declared a state of emergency in three provinces due to protestsThe protests of the Confederation of Indian Peoples of Ecuador Conaie against the social and economic policies of the country's leadership began on June 13 with small demonstrations in 11 regions and gained momentum the next day, when the police detained the head of the confederation, Leonidas Isa, for a day on charges obstruction of public services. On June 18, President Lasso introduced a state of emergency in a number of regions, including the capital. Simultaneously with the introduction of the state of emergency, President Lasso approved urgent measures to support Ecuadorian families — freezing fuel prices, canceling privatization in the utilities sector, increasing benefits, subsidies and preferential loans to agricultural producers and writing off debts to the state Banecuador in the amount of up to 3 thousand US dollars. The leader of Conaie Isa, who is now facing criminal prosecution, called the measures taken insufficient and called on citizens to continue indefinite protest, despite the emergency situation and curfew. The tactics of indigenous people who block roads in the country in protest and blocking oil production, did not find understanding in part of the Ecuadorian society — entrepreneurs and members of the largest trade union of transport workers, as well as oil workers opposed the actions of the protesters. Ecuador's state oil company Petroecuador on Monday suspended work due to force majeure announced in connection with the protests that swept the country. According to the Ecuadorian police, 86 people were detained during the 8 days of unrest, 61 were injured «as a result of attacks by protesters» and one person died from a fall from a great height. On the territory of the Indian communities, 14 police officers were temporarily captured.