Ecuadorian indigenous organizations accept dialogue with government

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After 15 days of mobilizations, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) accepted on June 27 a dialogue with the five branches of government to analyze its ten economic and social demands.

That, after President Guillermo Lasso announced a reduction in fuel prices on Sunday night, one of the main demands of the Conaie.

“By collective decision of the structures of Conaie, Feine (Council of Evangelical Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Ecuador), and Fenocin (National Confederation of Peasant, Indigenous, and Black Organizations), we accept the invitation made for the meeting with the five branches of the State (14.00),” explained Conaie in a statement.

“We will push for results for the 10-point agenda; we call on our mobilized bases to be on a vigil,” the organization led by Leonidas Iza added in a brief message on Twitter.

This meeting comes after the government and the leaders of the indigenous movement had their first contact on Saturday. That day, representatives of the Executive met directly with the president of the Conaie, in a first direct contact when 12 days of mobilizations were completed.

According to El Comercio, this Monday’s meeting took place at the Liceo Matovelle in Quito, from around 3 PM onwards. The Church mediated this meeting.

Conaie leader Leonidas Iza; government minister Francisco Jiménez; president of the National Electoral Council Diana Atamaint; president of the National Assembly Virgilio Saquicela, and leaders of Feine and Fenocin participated in the meeting. President Guillermo Lasso did not attend the meeting.

The dialogue began with a prayer, and the floor was given first to Iza. The Conaie leader analyzed the first point of the requests: the price of fuels. He requested that extra and ecopaís gasoline be frozen at US$2.10 and diesel at US$1.50. He added that if there is smuggling, the government must carry out controls so that this does not happen.

Lasso announced on Sunday night a US$0.10 drop in fuel prices. Thus, extra and ecopaís gasoline was fixed at US$2.45 and US$1.80, respectively. After the president’s announcement, the Conaie described the decision, early Monday morning, as “insufficient” and “insensitive”, adding that “it does not take into account the situation of poverty of Ecuadorian families”.

The manager of state oil company Petroecuador, Ítalo Cedeño, told a local channel that “it was a crime” to cut crude production amid globally high prices. Lasso wrote on his Twitter account that compensation measures, including lower fuel prices, will demand about US$600 million.

Residents have complained of domestic gas shortages and higher food prices. Other cities have also reported shortages of fuel and medical supplies for hospitals.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Congress on Sunday night postponed a vote on Lasso’s impeachment until today, starting at 11 AM, after he announced fuel price cuts to appease protesters. The National Assembly concluded a second consecutive night of debate on the president’s future in office without a vote.

Amid the discussion, the head of the ruling party’s bloc, Juan Fernando Flores, denounced that several legislators had been victims of siege in their homes and called with offers while the debate was taking place.

“While others are debating, the calls, threats, and persecution so that the legislators vote as some political groups want, and insist, are taking place,” he said.

With information from La Tercera

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