Ecuador indigenous leader freed from detention, vows protests will continue

People protest against President Guillermo Lasso's economic and environmental policies and in support of Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza and other demonstrators arrested, in Quito, Ecuador, June 14, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna Alarcon

QUITO (Reuters) - Protests in Ecuador will continue until President Guillermo Lasso solves economic and environmentnal issues affecting the country, indigenous leader Leonidas Iza said on Wednesday after he was freed from detention on a judge's order.

Iza was released late on Tuesday following a ruling by a judge in the city of Latacunga. He had been detained for about 24 hours after the government said he led road blockades and other allegedly violent acts that halted public services.