Ecuador’s capital, Quito, saw rival demonstrations on Sunday as supporters and opponents of President Daniel Noboa filled the streets — one day after a state of emergency took effect in 10 provinces.

The unrest was sparked by the government’s decision to remove a key fuel subsidy, which caused diesel prices to jump from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon. The move has hit low-income and Indigenous communities particularly hard, leading the country’s largest Indigenous organization to call for protests under the slogan, “Diesel goes up, everything goes up.”

While pro-government groups rallied in support of Noboa’s economic reforms, anti-government protesters accused him of ignoring the struggles of ordinary Ecuadorians. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds after some tried to breach security barriers, though no injuries or arrests were reported.

The state of emergency—which limits large gatherings—was declared in regions with strong Indigenous populations, where the demonstrations have been most intense.

Tensions have been building for weeks: a previous clash left one protester dead and several injured, with nearly 100 people detained. Protesters are now demanding the release of those still in custody, including 13 people facing terrorism charges.

President Noboa has vowed not to back down. “Those who choose violence will face the law,” he said on X (formerly Twitter), defending his decision as necessary to stabilize the economy.

As the standoff deepens, Ecuador remains divided between those calling for dialogue and others warning that the government’s hardline response risks inflaming an already volatile situation.