Protests in Ecuador leave 83 injured, 47 arrested

At least 83 policemen were injured and 47 citizens were arrested in anti-government protests in Ecuador on Friday, police said.

Eight policemen have considerable injuries and another two are in critical condition, Patricio Pazmino, the police's general commander, told state channel Gama TV.

"The level of violence during the protests was unbelievable," Pazmino said.

The police officers were injured during confrontations in various parts of Ecuador, especially the capital city of Quito, the focal point of the marches made up of politically dissatisfied indigenous and social groups as well as trade unions.

On Thursday night, there were violent disturbances provoked by protests in Quito's historical center, where the president's office is located, the Interior Ministry said.

Armed with sticks and stones, the groups threw their weapons at the police who had formed a security barrier against the protesters.

The apprehended used explosives, assaulted police and damaged public property, the ministry said.

The police will continue operations in the capital until Sunday as protests continue, Vice Interior Minister Diego Fuentes said.

President Rafael Correa, who called the day of protests a "failure," Friday condemned the violent actions.

Calling the protests "a criminal act," the president vowed to apply the law and refused to conduct a dialogue with the protesters.

"We will never set up a dialogue with the violent. There is nothing to discuss with these people who are causing so much damage to the country," he said.