Sargent Guadalupe, an Ecuadorian soldier, warms his hands against the fire from a burning tire at an army roadblock on the outskirts of Riobamba, 200km south of Quito January 16. Ecuador's security forces are on high alert in anticipation of disruption from indigenous groups who plan to protest against President Jamil Mahuad's administration. Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad changed his country's economy to the U.S. dollar in an attempt to control galloping inflation a week ago. This drastic measure has met with a mixed response, but has split his opposition and calmed protests which threatened to overthrow him.

AW