La Jornada 6/2/99

Ecuador- All over Ecuador people held a day long strike (5/2/99) against the government’s economic policy. It was 100% successful in Quito and in the port of Guayaquil. There were demonstrations in the streets and no public transport. Offices, factories, shops and banks remained closed. Indians blocked some of the roads. The Chamber of Commerce announced that the strike had cost them 77 million dollars. Union leaders expressed satisfaction with the turnout and warned that if their demands weren’t met they could call a general strike. In an opinion poll 86% of the people objected to the government of President Jamil Mahuad and 72% approved of the national protest.