Ecuador's law enforcement forces arrested at least 12 people during Thursday's anti-government protests in Quito, which also left three policemen injured out of 2,000 deployed to disperse the demonstrators who opposed the administration of President Daniel Noboa amid an unprecedented energy crisis that made electricity a scarce commodity as daily blackouts last up to 14 hours. The mobilization had been called by the United Workers' Front (FUT) and by several student federations to protest against Noboa's policies.