 Wysłany: Sob 2:30, 09 Paź 2010 Temat postu: the country remains under a " |
|
| Multiple media reports are labeling the revolt a "coup" attempt, although that is still in question. Graham Bulmer is the executive director of the Latin America arm of HCJB Global, based in Quito.
As of Friday, the two sides were at least talking, although the hostilities are nearly palpable. "Congress did convene a special session to begin dialoguing, so there is still potential for misunderstandings and for unrest," says Bulmer. Ecuador (MNN) ― Ecuador's calm shattered dramatically on Thursday with a protest that degenerated quickly into a riot. Today, because tensions remain high, the country remains under a "state of exception," which is expected to be lifted tonight or tomorrow. Bulmer says the problem started when "a new law was passed by the National Assembly, and it was interpreted by some members of the police force to restrict their benefits and pay. So a group of police officers began a protest, and as a result of that, things compounded." Airport shutdowns and highway blockades quickly brought the nation to a halt. President Rafael Correa tried to dialogue with the protesters, but the situation quickly became violent when one of the protesting police officers threw tear gas at the president. In terms of ministry disruption, Bulmer didn't note anything on a large scale. Their team will continue to share the hope of Christ through its radio and medical outreach. "Pray that calm and peace will reign, because it's impossible for anyone to do ministry, and it's just plain unhealthy and unsafe if there's chaos in the streets. We need to pray for the president, Rafael Correa, that God would give him wisdom, and simply that security would permeate all that we do down here. We need to get back to a sense of normalcy. " Once Correa was rescued, he went to the Presidential Palace and assured the nation that the government was stable and in control. Bulmer says that civil authorities also affirmed their support for the government, and the chief of the national police gave his resignation in an attempt to keep things stable. At this stage, there are conflicting reports on how serious the issue is. Bulmer says,nfl jerseys on sale, "It's not clear yet whether this was a protest against a policy or a law that the Congress had passed,cheap jerseys, or if, in fact, there was some attempt to have a change in authority and a change in power." In the meantime, HCJB Global was called upon to respond. "The government came out with a national public radio transmission, and they asked us to carry that, which we did, to keep the entire country informed as the events unfolded," explains Bulmer. Their medical team also responded. "We received a lot of people that were injured in our hospital." (Cover photo by Presidencia de la Republica del Ecuador/Story photo by Philip Barron, the National Assembly) Correa was rushed to a military hospital for treatment, but once there,football uniforms, protesters surrounded the hospital, trapping him inside. At least five soldiers were wounded in the firefight at the hospital before Correa was removed at top speed in an SUV, according to the military and Red Cross. |
|
