CONAIE issued a statement denouncing that “the recent blackouts announced by President Daniel Noboa are a clear reflection of the inability and improvisation of the Executive to manage the energy crisis that was already known when he assumed his mandate,” the document stated.

The Ecuadorian indigenous movement reiterated that the crisis is a consequence of the dismantling of the public energy sector and neoliberal policies that have weakened the infrastructure.

CONAIE insisted that the eight-hour blackouts have brought disaster on the economy, and on Ecuadorian families, in a context of violence in the streets.

“We need concrete and effective actions to confront this crisis, which adds to insecurity and economic devastation,” the statement concludes.

Meanwhile, the President of the Quito Chamber of Commerce, Mónica Heller, warned that Wednesday night’s nation-wide blackout will have an impact of 3.5 million dollars, “just for one day,” she said.

Also, Citizens have already expressed their concerns about the power outages scheduled for nighttime, which is conducive to criminal acts.

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