Lila Velásquez

Lila Velásquez is a 58-year-old street vendor in Guayaquil, Ecuador, who has dedicated over two decades to informal commerce. Originally from Pichincha (Manabí), she moved to Guayaquil at the age of 11 and has since built her life around selling various goods, from clothing to school supplies. Recently, she gained media attention when a video surfaced showing municipal agents confiscating her merchandise during a street control operation. Velásquez has faced numerous challenges, including health issues and the difficulties of working in the informal sector, but she remains determined to support her family and continue her work, which she describes as a daily battle for survival.