Ecuador government, indigenous leaders hold first talks amid protests

After the talks on Saturday, Lasso ended a state of exception in six provinces, as requested by indigenous leaders

Ecuador's government and indigenous leaders met on Saturday for the first formal talks since mass protests began two weeks ago, and President Guillermo Lasso eased security measures, Qazet.az reports.

The protests have worsened Lasso's adversarial relationship with the national assembly, where lawmakers have blocked his major economic proposals as he has struggled to contain rising violence he blames on drug gangs.

The assembly on Saturday evening was set to meet to debate Lasso's removal from office at the request of some opposition lawmakers, though the group does not appear to have the votes it would need to approve such a measure.

"The government reiterated its willingness to guarantee the creation of spaces for peace," Lasso's press office said in a statement.

The government's legal representative Fabian Pozo told the National Assembly the country was gradually returning to normal and the government had listened to the protesters legitimate demands.