Al Jazeera speaks to people in Ecuador’s capital about Fernando Villavicencio’s killing and what’s next for the country.


Al Jazeera speaks to people in Ecuador’s capital about Fernando Villavicencio’s killing and what’s next for the country.

Thousands of Indigenous people have joined national strike in Quito to demand government action on rising costs.

Hundreds have died in a series of recent prison massacres, as critics say the government is neglecting its duty of care.

Hundreds have been killed in gang-linked riots this year, as experts say systemic problems plague country’s prisons.
![Family members of people held in Ecuador's prisons pray for the safety of their loved-ones after a series of deadly riots [File: Vicente Gaibor del Pino/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-10-02T235838Z_1694956087_RC2O1Q91TM5N_RTRMADP_3_ECUADOR-PRISON.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Environmental issues have been largely ignored in lead-up to Sunday’s vote, raising concern from rainforest advocates.
![Fanny Licuy gestures to the river banks after oil spill hit her community in Sani Isla, Ecuador on May 9, 2020 [File: Ivan Castaneira/Amazon Watch/Handout via Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-01-25T040225Z_1768614318_RC2SEL9MILF1_RTRMADP_3_CLIMATE-CHANGE-BANKS.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Economy and handling of COVID-19 pandemic figure largely on minds of voters ahead of February 7 presidential polls.
![Supporters of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Guillermo Lasso gather before his closing campaign rally in Guayaquil, Ecuador on February 4 [Santiago Arcos/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-02-04T212626Z_2047763729_RC2XLL97FILH_RTRMADP_3_ECUADOR-ELECTION.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The pandemic’s strain on the working class highlights deep divisions in economic power, analysts and residents say.

Fearing repeat of history, Indigenous groups in Ecuador rush back to their territories in an attempt to escape COVID-19.

Many celebrate the return of fuel subsidies, but urge caution over plans to come up with new belt-tightening measures.

Indigenous protesters accuse security forces of using excessive force as demonstrations continue for tenth day.
