• Saturday, October 30, 2010
• Inter Press Service

With the backing of large crowds of supporters in the streets and of statements from presidents throughout Latin America, the Ecuadorian government of Rafael Correa is attempting to quell a riot by hundreds of police protesting a cut in their benefits which has thrown the country into chaos.

As soon as news reports on the crisis in Ecuador began to came out, statements of support for Correa started to roll in, from the governments of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and others. The Organisation of American States (OAS) Permanent Council immediately called an emergency meeting, and expressed its 'repudiation of any attempt to alter the democratic institutional system' in Ecuador, and also its 'firm' support for the constitutional government.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement: 'We are closely following events in Ecuador. The United States deplores violence and lawlessness and we express our full support for President Rafael Correa, and the institutions of democratic government in that country. 'We urge all Ecuadorians to come together and to work within the framework of Ecuador's democratic institutions to reach a rapid and peaceful restoration of order.'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and other regional leaders are on their way to Buenos Aires for an emergency summit of the Union of South American Nations. The national police began to protest Thursday, demanding the repeal of a public services law approved by the legislature Wednesday that would end the practice of granting soldiers and police medals and bonuses with each promotion, and would extend from five to seven years the period between promotions.

© Inter Press Service (2010) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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