Deadly Protest Violence in Ecuador Reveals Dangers of Fuel Subsidy Cuts and Government Overreach

In the rugged highlands of Ecuador, a deadly confrontation erupted this past Sunday between Indigenous protesters and government forces, underscoring the perilous consequences when leadership disregards the economic burdens felt by ordinary citizens. The brutal clash left one protester dead—shot amid escalating violence—and twelve soldiers wounded, reflecting a nation torn by policy failures that ripple beyond its borders. Who Pays the Price When Governments Punish Working Families? The genesis of these protests lies in President Daniel Noboa's recent decision to end a longstanding fuel subsidy, doubling diesel prices overnight from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. While trimming government expenditures may...