Anti-government protests ahead of Pope’s visit

Hundreds of thousands of ­people have taken part in anti-govern­ment demonstrations across Ecuador, as Pope Francis prepares to visit the country next week. The protests against new tax proposals by President Rafael Correa took place as the Government scrambles to make savings to offset huge declines in oil revenues.

The visit has taken on a political tone, as official buildings in Guayaquil displayed huge posters with papal messages about wealth and inequality in advance of the protests.

Meanwhile, demonstrators displayed banners accusing the Government of  “abuse” and claiming it was using the Pope as propaganda. The Ecuadorean Government plans to impose a tax of 77.5 per cent on inheritances and 75 per cent on capital gains from property. The move, regarded as a leap towards a more socialist approach, is very unpopu­lar in a country where most businesses are family-owned.

“Ensure humanity is served by wealth, not ruled by it,” read a papal message promoted by the Government last week. However, President Correa temporarily withdrew his proposals from parliament in an effort to avoid tension during the papal visit. The Archbishop of Quito, Fausto Trávez, said he hoped that the visit would calm the situation. “We will come to an agreement because the Pope is a messenger of peace, joy, justice and goodness,” he said.

The Pope will visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay during a six-day visit to South America, beginning tomorrow. All three countries are affected by widespread poverty and Francis is extremely popular both because he is Argentinian and because of his focus on the poor.

His visit to Paraguay comes less than a year since the Vatican dismissed a prominent Paraguayan bishop over misuse of funds. The Diocese of Ciudad del Este continues to struggle to pay off US$800,000 (£511,389) in debt left by Bishop Rogelio Livieres Plano. The bishop’s supporters believe that he was ousted because of his conservative views.
During his trip to Bolivia, the Pope will visit the notorious Palmasola prison. Sales of alcohol will be prohibited in parts of the country during the visit. The Pope himself has asked to be provided with coca leaves to chew to help him acclimatise to the altitude.