The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) has announced this Wednesday the rejection of a plan proposed by the Government of Ecuador to protect mining projects.
At a press conference, CONAIE leaders, headed by its president, Leonidas Iza, have assured that they do not want a military or police presence in the exploitation projects because the majority are within the indigenous communities. On previous occasions this leader has led violent revolts with a view to deposing the government of President Guillermo Lasso.
Iza, who has ensured that the agreements reached after the mobilizations this summer are not being respected, has indicated that “they are trying to militarize the country, arguing that there is a presence of drug traffickers”, and has argued that “it is not true that introducing more soldiers and police officers will resolve the issue of drug trafficking.”
“The militarization of the territories where the mining companies are based will not be allowed because they never guaranteed the right to prior, free and informed consultation,” added the CONAIE leader.
In this sense, he has reported that the indigenous movement will create an “anti-mining front” that will delimit and create protection zones.
With information from La Gaceta