Background and Context
María Lucila Guitarra, a widow from Cotacachi, Ecuador, is demanding justice for her husband, Efraín Fuerez, who was allegedly killed by the military during indigenous protests against the Ecuadorian government. Fuerez, a 46-year-old artisan and father of two young children, was shot by the armed forces amidst the demonstrations.
Who is Efraín Fuerez?
Efraín Fuerez was a skilled artisan and builder from Cotacachi, a town in the Imbabura province. He was also a devoted father to a 25-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. Fuerez was actively participating in the protests against the government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies, which led to a 56% increase in fuel prices.
The Protests and Government Response
For the past week, protesters have been blocking roads with logs and stones, facing off against law enforcement. The Ecuadorian government has accused the demonstrators of committing “terrorist acts” and threatened them with up to 30 years in prison. At least 12 of the 90 detained individuals are currently facing terrorism charges.
Fuerez was one of the protesters advocating for the release of these detained individuals. The morning of his death, he last spoke with his wife over the phone before joining the demonstrations.
María Lucila Guitarra’s Plea for Justice
Guitarra, in an emotional plea, urged the government to visit her home and witness the struggles of indigenous families. “They say the country is not in bad shape; I invite them to my home, to my family, where I lived with my husband and where we strive to make ends meet day by day,” she said.
The heart-wrenching footage of Fuerez’s final moments was shared by the Conaie (Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador), the main organization representing indigenous peoples in Ecuador. The military has yet to comment on the video, but the government has blamed Conaie president Marlon Vargas for inciting the protests.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is María Lucila Guitarra? María Lucila Guitarra is the widow of Efraín Fuerez, an indigenous protester in Ecuador who was allegedly killed by the military during demonstrations against the government.
- What were the protests about? The protests were primarily against the Ecuadorian government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies, which caused a significant increase in fuel prices.
- What has been the government’s response to the protests? The Ecuadorian government has accused protesters of committing “terrorist acts” and threatened them with up to 30 years in prison. At least 12 detained individuals are currently facing terrorism charges.
- What is María Lucila Guitarra demanding? Guitarra is demanding justice for her husband’s death and urging the government to acknowledge the struggles of indigenous families in Ecuador.
