Indigenous leader from Ecuador denounces humanitarian crisis and repression.

247 - The vice-president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), Ercilia Castañeda, denounced on Tuesday (21) a serious humanitarian crisis experienced by indigenous communities amid state repression during protests in the country. The leader spoke before the Legislative Commission for Children and Adolescents, demanding justice and full reparation for the victims of violence.

According to information released by the Prensa LatinaCastañeda demanded that the State take responsibility for the harm caused to the minors and affected families. "Violence cannot go unpunished: the State must be held accountable for the damage caused and guarantee truth, justice, and reparation," he declared.

The leader reported that six children were orphaned after the deaths of Efraín Fuerez and José Guamán, two protesters hit by projectiles during clashes with police in the northern province of Imbabura. In addition, three minors reportedly suffered asphyxiation due to the use of tear gas in police operations.

Castañeda formally requested that the Ecuadorian government guarantee transparency in the investigations into the deaths and identify the chain of command responsible for the actions of the security forces. “The nationalities and peoples are peaceful, but with great dignity. When there is a will, there are always paths to follow; however, this government has not shown a willingness to engage in dialogue,” criticized the vice-president of CONAIE.

Meanwhile, the appeal hearing continues in Quito regarding the pre-trial detention of 12 indigenous people arrested during the protests in Otavalo, accused of terrorism. CONAIE reiterated, in an official statement, its commitment to a “genuine dialogue” and called for an end to state repression, warning that it will not accept “empty talks or those conditioned by violence.”

Tensions intensified after the Executive Branch canceled negotiations with the Imbabura communities, citing a lack of conditions to continue the dialogue. In an interview with the Teleamazonas channel, the Minister of Government, Zaida Rovira, accused the president of CONAIE, Marlon Vargas, of "using the strike as a political platform" and confirmed that talks will not resume while road blockades and demonstrations persist.

The protests began on September 22nd, after the president Daniel Noboa Announcing the elimination of the diesel subsidy, a measure that caused a strong economic impact, especially in indigenous and rural regions, made Imbabura the epicenter of the mobilizations, where economic losses and calls for mediation are growing daily.