Ecuador protests: State of emergency declared as fuel subsidies end Published duration 3 October 2019

media caption Tear gas fired as protests flare in Ecuador

Ecuador's government has declared a state of emergency after protesters opposed to a fuel price hike disrupted transport nationwide.

President Lenin Moreno said he imposed the measure to "ensure citizens' security and avoid chaos".

Protesters were angered by Mr Moreno's decision to end 40-year-old subsidies for fuel, which he said were no longer affordable.

Diesel and petrol prices are expected to more than double.

The fuel subsidies cost the government $1.3bn (£1bn) annually.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The protests, against the ending of fuel subsidies, were led by students and the transport sector

On Thursday students and the transport sector led a national strike.

Taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked roads and bridges in the capital Quito and the city of Guayaquil, bringing transport to a standstill.

Some protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas to disperse crowds. Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo said 19 people had been arrested.

"The lack of transport affects us all, but equally the rise in gasoline prices will affect us," Quito-based business owner Cesar Lopez told Reuters news agency.

Some protesters burned tyres and threw objects at armoured police vans, drawing criticism from Mr Moreno.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Some protesters threw objects at armoured police vans

The president, who took office in 2017, said he would not allow protesters to "impose chaos".

Under the emergency measure, Mr Moreno's government can restrict freedoms and deploy the armed forces to maintain order.

The elimination of the fuel subsidies, introduced in the 1970s, are part of Mr Moreno's plan to shore up Ecuador's flagging economy and ease its debt burden.

image copyright Getty Images image caption President Moreno said he would not allow protesters to "impose chaos"

Ecuador's government has agreed to cut public spending as part of a loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The agreement, signed in March, allows Ecuador to borrow $4.2bn (£3.4bn).

On Tuesday, Ecuador announced it was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to pump more oil and raise revenues.