Conaie declares an ‘immediate and indefinite’ strike

The Confederation of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities (Conaie) and its regional partners announced Thursday it was launching an “immediate and indefinite” national strike. Meeting in a joint session in Riobamba, Conaie, Ecuarunari, Confenaie and Conaie said it was beginning an “uprising throughout the country against the government.”

Conaie President Marlon Vargas at a press conference following the Riobamba meeting Thursday.

According to Conaie President Marlon Vargas, the strike was called as a result of the elimination of the diesel fuel subsidy, the crisis in health and education and the government’s policy encouraging mining and oil production.

Vargas said the indigenous groups agreed on nine points.

1. The unity of indigenous peoples and nationalities, communities, grassroots organizations and allied social sectors to collectively confront the economic adjustment that effects the poorest populations in the country.
2. To demand the immediate repeal of decree 126 that eliminates the diesel subsidy because it is a measure that makes transportation, production, food and the lives of millions of Ecuadorian families more expensive.
3. To reject the threats, repression, persecution and criminalization by the national government of protest, and to take advantage of the right to resistance, in accordance with Article 98 and other articles supporting civil right.
4. The rejections of extractivism of minerals and oil and the expansion of the oil fields in the territories of peoples and nationalities that affect nature, water and food production. In addition, they demanded the revocation of environmental licenses for the purpose of mining at Quimsacocha, Las Naves, Palo Quemado, and others.
5. The declaration of a state of community emergency in the territories of peoples and nationalities within the framework of the plurinational state. Further, they prohibit the entry of public forces and called for the activation of the community guards, the protection of the peoples.
6. The rejection of the popular referendum and consultation and the intention to convene a constituent assembly that does not solve the country’s problems.
7. Urging the media to act with objectivity and transparency and to report the truth and not replicate stories that favor criminalization favored by the government.
8. That the VAT be reduced from 15% to 12%, taking into account that it has not fulfilled its objective of resolving insecurity.
9. That the plurinational parliament of peoples be reinstated.

Following the Conaie announcement, President Daniel Noboa decreed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Chimborazo, Bolivar and Carchi Provinces. He also repeated a warning issued Tuesday that police would arrest the “ring-leaders of road blockages and other violent activities.”

At 9 a.m. Friday morning the Transportation Ministry reported that all major highways were open and traffic was normal. The Education Ministry said that public school were open and operating on schedule.