QUITO - Dozens of Dutch tourists have been stuck in Ecuador for days. Their travel groups cannot travel further due to roadblocks. Violent protests have been going on for a week in the South American country, directed against austerity plans by President Moreno.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with two travel groups of a total of 35 Dutch people. A few individual travelers have also reported. "They are concerned about their safety," says a spokesman for the ministry.
Travel organization Sawadee has a group of sixteen Dutch tourists in the country. They have been stuck for five days in the village of Guamote, just outside the city of Riobamba. They are allowed to leave their hotel but cannot travel further.
According to the travel schedule, the group should have traveled on to the Galapagos Islands, but that trip has now been canceled. "Protesters have erected roadblocks by, for example, laying trees on the road," said a spokesman for Sawadee. "As long as you do not want to pass those blockades, there is nothing wrong. But if you do want to pass, you can get into trouble."
Fuel prices
Protesters are opposed to austerity plans from the Ecuadorian government. For example, President Moreno wants to reduce the number of civil servants considerably, privatize several government departments and immediately cancel the fuel subsidy. People are particularly angry about the latter measure.
"Ecuadorians are furious because they have been accustomed for 40 years to receiving a substantial subsidy on petrol and diesel," said correspondent Nina Jurna in the Dutch NOS Radio 1 Journal. They are afraid that the prices will now double. "As a result, other prices, such as food prices, are also going up," said Jurna.
Handing out food to demonstrators
In the capital city of Quito, groups of Indians, farmers and trade unions took to the streets yesterday. "An army tank has even been set on fire and the riot police had to shoot with tear gas," Jurna said. "In short, it is complete chaos here."
Although protests are also taking place in Guamote, according to Sawadee the situation is not as chaotic as in Quito. All stores are closed there. "Our travelers are trying to make the best of it," said Sawadee travel advisor. "For example, we take a walk, do yoga, play games or help in the hotel kitchen."
The tourists have also distributed food to the demonstrators. "In this way, they also try to maintain good relations with the population," says the spokesperson for Sawadee.
A new trip to Ecuador is planned for Friday. The travel organization has appealed to the Calamity Fund, which can compensate travel organizations and tourists in the event of natural disasters or serious unrest. "They will make a decision later today and depending on whether or not the journey will continue.
