Scenes from protests against government in Cuenca, Ecuador

Ecuador was paralyzed Wednesday by a nationwide strike, protests, and road blockades. Protests and strikes have convulsed the country since President Lenin Moreno decreed austerity measures a week ago, including dramatic increases in fuel prices.

While the center of the action was in the nation's capital, Quito, major actions took place across the country. These photos and videos captue scenes in Cuenca, Ecuador, the country's third largest city, on October 9, 2019. It show scenes from a huge mid-day protest march, that the central plaza of Cuenca where government buildings are located was fenced off, and protests which continued into the evening.