http://www.radiohc.org/Distributions/Radio_Havana_English/Radio_Havana_Cuba-30
_January_2001
*ECUADOR: INDIGENOUS LEADER ARRESTED AMID MASSIVE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS
Quito, January 30 (RHC)-- Authorities in Ecuador have arrested indigenous
leader Antonio Vargas. Interior Minister Juan Manrique said Vargas,president
of the powerful Ecuadorian Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, had
entered terrain in which he will have to respond to thelaw -- but refused to
specify charges.
The arrest is threatening to radicalize the indigenous uprising in
Ecuador,with leading activists of the organization insisting that now more
than evertheir protest will continue. The leader of the Popular Front
coalition, Luis Villacis, has also been arrested, while authorities attempted
to arrest indigenous leader Salvador Quishpe. Quishpe was seized at a market
place,but workers and customers at the establishment surrounded police,
forcing them to release the activist.
Organizers of the protest that has been building since last January 2nd
charged that authorities have a list of ten popular leaders with arrest
warrants against them. Thousands of activists have converged on Quito, laid
siege to other cities and blocked major roads and highways in Ecuador. But
President Gustavo Noboa said he will in no way repeal the drastic price hikes
in transportation, fuel and domestic gas agreed to with theInternational
Monetary Fund.<!--EndFragment-->
