Protesters in Quito were reportedly trying to "forcefully enter the facilities" of newspaper El Comercio, according to local journalism advocacy organization Fundamedios.
🚨 #URGENTE | Reportan a #Fundamedios que manifestantes intentan ingresar a la fuerza a las instalaciones de @elcomerciocom en #Quito. @PoliciaEcuador @mariapaularomo @Lenin @CNNEE @EdisonLanza
— FUNDAMEDIOS (@FUNDAMEDIOS) October 12, 2019
El Comercio later confirmed reports that its facilities were attacked on Saturday evening by "a group of strangers."
#URGENTE | Las instalaciones de Diario EL COMERCIO de #Quito han sido atacadas la tarde de este sábado por un grupo de desconocidos
— El Comercio (@elcomerciocom) October 12, 2019
12-10-2019 pic.twitter.com/UP7qftB1ps
A facility belonged to local TV channel Teleamazonas was attacked by alleged protesters who threw Molotov cocktails at the channel's building.
Vándalos queman instalaciones de #Teleamazonas en Quito. pic.twitter.com/Ubmmplg2Da
— Teleamazonas (@teleamazonasec) October 12, 2019
Vándalos lanzaron piedras a las instalaciones de #Teleamazonas en Quito. pic.twitter.com/S6R81k2uAu
— Teleamazonas (@teleamazonasec) October 12, 2019
🔥#URGENTE | BUS DE TELEAMAZONAS SE INCENDIA
— Noticias de Ecuador y el Mundo (@NEMNoticias) October 12, 2019
🚨 #Fundamedios reporta que manifestantes atacan las instalaciones de @teleamazonasec. Incendian un bus y lanzan piedras en contra de sus instalaciones.
Informa: David Cobeña pic.twitter.com/fgXQ7ics4L
#QUITO | Bombas molotov han sido arrojadas contra Teleamazonas. Hay llamas en el parqueadero del edificio junto a las antenas parabólicas del medio de comunicación
— El Comercio (@elcomerciocom) October 12, 2019
Video: Cortesía
12-10-2019 pic.twitter.com/foU4jwE9kf
Teleamazonas shared a photo showing a bus belonging to the channel that was burned by protesters. According to Teleamazonas, there were 25 people inside the bus when protesters started throwing Molotov coctails.
Vándalos queman instalaciones de #Teleamazonas en #Quito. 25 personas se encontraban dentro cuando se empezaron a lanzar bombas molotov y llantas quemadas. pic.twitter.com/RR5UUD7uco
— Teleamazonas (@teleamazonasec) October 12, 2019
Earlier in the day, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno announced a curfew and militarization for Quito slated to start at 3 p.pm. local time. The measure is meant to "facilitate the activities of law enforcement agencies against excessive violence."
Mass protests erupted in Ecuador in early October as thousands rallied across the country against the government's so-called economic reforms, specifically a decision to end decades-long fuel subsidies for people. As civil unrest grew progressively more violent, Moreno declared a national two-month state of emergency. According to Moreno, Ecuador could no longer afford the subsidies and the cuts could help the country save some $2.27 billion a year.
The abolition of fuel subsidies is intended to be part of the Ecuadorian government's austerity deal with the International Monetary Fund to become eligible for a $4.2 billion loan.
