After the eviction, the protesters seek to regroup

In a surprise operation carried out around 02:00 yesterday, the police evicted protesters who remained outside the National Electoral Council (CNE) – some with mattresses and blankets, under awnings – to reject the election result.

The traffic circulation returned to normality at dawn; However, around 08:00 a group came back and stood again on the sidewalks.

After giving orders to the officers, police commander Mauricio Gutiérrez, who led the squad in the morning, said that the provision was to maintain order and clear the area for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

In the afternoon, the rain dispersed the demonstrators, but when it stopped, they returned and encouraged passers-by to join in the protest.

In a statement, CREO condemned the action and said that “this vigil was not threatening the security of Quito citizens or intended to do so because it was framed within the constitutional right to peaceful resistance.”