Fuel hikes protest leave six dead, 1,507 injured in Ecuador

By Bimbo Ogunnaike with agency report

At least six people were confirmed dead and 1,507 people injured in Ecuador after more t 10 days of anti-government protests sparked by fuel hikes.

Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo and General Commander of the National Police Nelson Villegas made this known at at a joint press conference on Tuesday.

The duo also disclosed that total of 1,330 people were arrested for protest-related crimes, such as vandalism.

A wave of protests took place on October 3-13, following an October. 1 presidential decree that eliminated fuel subsidies and pushed up the price of gasoline and diesel, and public transit fares.

Of the 1,330 people arrested, 57 are foreign nationals, most of whom were released within 24 hours, said the minister.

As a result of the protests, 1,507 people were treated at public health facilities, including 435 police officers.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno agreed to repeal the decree on Sunday, after officials met for several hours with protest leaders.

The two sides agreed that the government will work on a new subsidy scheme that helps vulnerable groups better afford fuel.