 In total, Ecuador was left $64 billion in debt and was losing $10 billion annually.On 21 August 2018, Moreno announced economic austerity measures to reduce public spending and deficit.Moreno stated that the measures aimed to save $1 billion and included a reduction of fuel subsidies, eliminating subsidies for gasoline and diesel, and the removal or merging of several public entities, a move denounced by the groups representing the nation's indigenous groups, as well as trade unions.