Strikes and Protests

What a day it has been here in Ecuador……

This morning members of Ecuador’s national police and air force started protests and went on strike against the government of President Rafeal Correa.  The Correa administration went ahead with reforms that will cut benefits for the police and military in Ecuador.  Overall, the protest were a complete surprise to all of us here in Ecuador.

This morning while I was working and doing encuestas at Hospital Jacobo all the patients and doctors were plastered to the TV in the waiting room. The local news showed footage of protests in Quito and vigilantes beginning to protest in downtown Guayaquil. President Correa made a speech on national television and affirmed that he will not be reverting the reforms that he has put in place.

I left work with Doctor Viteri who is the head doctor at Hopsital Jacobo y Maria Elena Ratinoff. After talking with some of the nurses, I realized that the bridge to my home in Entre Rios was blocked by the police in order to limit more protestors from entering the city.  Dr. Viteri offered to drive me to the house of another Peace Corps volunteer (Michelle).

On the drive from the southeast section of the city to the north, we saw multiple road blocks and protestors in the streets. There have been reports of multiple bank robberies and looting at grocery stores due to a lack of police enforcement. As we approached Michelle’s house we saw a young man who was just hit by a car on his motorcycle. Dr. Viteri jumped out of the car to help stop the bleeding that was running down the young man´s face. After calling him a ride to the hospital, we continued on our way to Michelle´s house.

 

The latest update is that the military will be roving the streets picking up groups larger than 4 people as of 12 midnight and on.  I have been notified by my program managers in Quito that all other PCVs have been accounted for and are  safe.  We will be receiving  another update tomorrow morning from the Peace Corps but as of now we are on “steadfast alert” which means we must stay inside our homes.

I was given a ride from Michelle´s host mom´s friend who lives two blocks away from me in Entre Rios. She was notified that the bridge was opened by the police and offered to give me a ride home. So, I am finally back at my host family´s house in Entre Rios safe and sound!

Sending lots of love back home! I will make sure to post more updates soon!

Love,

Lee

P.S.   heres a video that the NY Times put together about todays events

Ecuador Police Protests Throw Country Into Chaos