(10 Oct 2019) Anti-government protesters held police officers on a stage Thursday, defying Ecuadorian authorities who are seeking dialogue with opponents, particularly indigenous groups, after more than a week of deadly unrest.
The brazen act occurred in the capital of Quito at a cultural centre where indigenous protesters were holding a funeral for indigenous leader Inocencio Tucumbi of Ecuador's Cotopaxi region, one of those killed during the protests Wednesday.
The indigenous leader and four other people have died in the violence, according to the public defender's office.
The president's office said two people died.
There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy in the reports on the death toll.
During the funeral police officers stood in front of hundreds of demonstrators, some holding white roses in tribute to those killed during the unrest.
The police officers appeared to be unharmed, and were checked by medics.
More than 20 journalists were also inside the cultural centre, barred from leaving by protesters.
The government's removal of fuel subsidies last week plunged Ecuador into upheaval, triggering protests, looting, vandalism, clashes with security forces, the blocking of highways and the suspension of parts of its vital oil industry.
Ecuador's cuts in fuel subsidies were among measures announced as part of a 4.2 billion US dollar funding plan with the International Monetary Fund, which says the funds will strengthen the economy and generate jobs.
Indigenous groups condemn the deal with the IMF, saying austerity measures will deepen economic inequality.
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