Noboa Imposes 60-Day State of Exception in Seven Ecuador Provinces After Diesel Subsidy Protests

Overview

• The decree covers Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Azuay, Bolívar, Cotopaxi and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas for a 60-day period.
• Authorities eliminated a roughly US$1.1 billion diesel subsidy, lifting the pump price from US$1.80 to US$2.80 per gallon.
• Truckers and demonstrators blocked key routes, including stretches of the Pan-American Norte near Quito and roads in the border province of Carchi.
• The government offered targeted monthly payments of US$400 to US$1,000 for transporters and announced social and agricultural support, while rejecting a reversal of the subsidy cut.
• Unions and the Indigenous confederation CONAIE demanded the measure be revoked and signaled escalations, with the Frente Unitario de Trabajadores planning a September 23 march.