Еквадор: Сблъсъци между протестиращи срещу правителството и полицаи в Кито

Clashes erupted between opponents of the government of Rafael Correa and the police during the anti-government protests in Quito, Friday. The demonstrators used banner sticks and stones in an attempt to break the police line, which is standing guard around the Independence Square, protecting the Presidential Palace and hundreds of supporters of the president. The police used pepper spray to disperse the protesters. Waving flags and banners in defence of Correa, the group gathered in opposition to recent anti-government marches across the country calling for Correa to step down as president. In an official statement on Wednesday, Correa warned of a coup attempt in the country, urging right-wing voters and opponents to respect the nation's democracy. The cities of Cuenca and Machala have been the central sites of opposition protests. Anti-government protests are rooted in anti-poverty legislation launched by Correa to tackle the gross inequality within Ecuador, drawing the ire of Opposition Mayor Jaime Nebot and Guillermo Lasso, a presidential candidate who was defeated by Correa. They have both accused Correa of undermining "meritocracy."