Cuenca: Staff of Banking Coop held hostage by members, demanding return of savings

gringotree.com reported an auditor and two officers of the Sumak Yari Cooperative have been held in custody since last Wednesday by members of the banking institution, who are demanding the return of their savings in exchange for releasing the woman and two men.

According to co-op members, the damages at present amount to $485,000, but estimates could reach as high as $700,000 as more co-op members join those demanding the return of their deposits. More than 200 aggrieved members support retaining those officials.

When an el Mercurio reporter was allowed inside the building to meet with the three hostages, branch manager Gabriela Gavilánez was lying on the floor, while auditor Fernando Ruiz and Azogues agency chief Franklin Lema sat on the floor. The two men immediately stood up and said they had not been ill treated by the villagers, but did express fear of being subjected to indigenous justice. Outside, some people stood guard to prevent anyone from outside the community from entering the bank. Read Article

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