The protests have paralyzed Ecuador's economy and cut off more than half of the country's production of oil, Ecuador's most important export.

The highland capital of Quito was rocked by a 10th day of clashes over Moreno's austerity plan, with the office of Ecuador's comptroller set on fire and access roads to Quito's airport blocked.

Protests reached a climax when demonstrators rampaged through police barriers into the country's empty congress building and were repelled by tear gas fired by police.