The head of the European Parliament delegation for the Andean Community, Pilar del Castillo (EPP, Spain), expressed her "deep concern" on Wednesday 9 October at the wave of social protests that has paralysed Ecuador for a week and caused the government to flee the capital Quito for Guayaquil.
The day before, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, had stressed the importance of resuming "dialogue" after a telephone conversation with the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Valencia.
Both consider demonstrations legitimate so long as they remain peaceful. They also welcome the offer of mediation by the United Nations and the Church.
The announcement by the Ecuadorian government of an end to fuel price subsidies as a condition for IMF assistance lit the fuse. Despite the declaration of a state of emergency in the country, blockades remain. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion with Camille-Cerise Gessant)