Quito, Ecuador — “Sometimes the violence gets out of hand.” says a shopkeeper who has endured 11 days of running battles between police and protesters in this city of 3 million.

“But I support the protests,” she continues. “The indigenous are fighting for us. They are taking bullets in the chest for us. Before, we were scared to talk about the corruption we have been living under. But they have brought this issue out into the light.”

“They have given us a voice.” She teared up as she said it.

On October 3, President Lenin Moreno ended gasoline subsidies put in place in the 1970's. The price of diesel immediately more than doubled and gasoline increase by 30 percent, overnight.

When fuel prices rise, so do other commodities such as food and basic goods.

The government also announced a series of controversial tax and labor changes- all to finance $4.2bn loan from the IMF.

Ecuador immediately burst into flames as an indigenous led protest movement set up roadblocks around the country and activists marched on the Ecuadorian capital of Quito.

They have since been fighting pitched battles in the streets against State forces.

A Combustible Oil Revolution

As Protests shook the Ecuadorian capital, President Lenin Moreno fled the city, and besieged police escalated their tactics. Protesters have also become increasingly aggressive.

Amidst all the noise, many indigenous people feel their story is not being told.

“The local press are liars.” said Estaban Cayaguillo, 35. “They say we are supporters of (former Ecuadorian President Rafael) Correa. Or that we are led by Venezuelans. Its bullshit.”

“Moreno is desperate. He is just trying to place the blame on anyone but himself and his own corruption.”

He wasn’t alone. I spoke with dozens of protesters and the two most common subjects of ire were the corruption of the Ecuadorian government (in which they very much also blame former President Correa who fled the country due to corruption charges) and the IMF.

“The loan money from the IMF isn’t going to benefit the poor. All that money will just go to the rich, and they will use it to find more oil. Meanwhile, the people starve paying for their greedy adventures.” said Cayaguillo.

“Get out IMF” and “Down with Decree 883 (petrol subsidy termination) Photo: Joshua Collins

The government has offered to negotiate with the protesters multiple times, and multiple times the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement to end the ongoing strike.

In the midst of exploding bombs I asked one protester what he thought of indigenous leaders negotiating with the government.

“Negotiation!?” he responded, astounded. “Look around. This is their negotiation.”

Explosions from flash bangs and tear gas grenades detonated around us.

I didn’t have a reply for that.