Police, soldiers in Ecuador seize airport, block roads in protest of benefit cuts

Protesting police, soldiers seize Ecuador airport

QUITO, Ecuador — Hundreds of police and soldiers protesting a new law that cuts their benefits seized the main airport in Ecuador’s capital on Thursday and shut off highway access to Quito as well.

The rebellious police fired tear gas and burned tires after taking over bases in Quito, Guayaquil and other cities.

The protests did not appear to threaten to topple the government and there were no immediate reports of injuries.

President Rafael Correa tried to speak with a group of police protesters but was shouted down.

“They are a bunch of ungrateful bandits,” Correa said of the protesters. “No one has supported the police as much as this government,” he told reporters.

An Associated Press photographer witnessed soldiers participating in the action that shut down the main terminal at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre airport.

It was not immediately known whether flights were canceled.

The protesters were angered by a law passed by Congress on Wednesday that would end the practice of giving members of Ecuador’s military and police medals and bonuses with each promotion. It would also extend from five to seven years the usual period required for before a subsequent promotion.

The law needs to be published before it takes effect and that has not happened.