‘March for water’ is expected to attract thousands; Elimination of diesel subsidy could attract even more

The route of Tuesday morning’s “March for water.”

Despite the government’s decision to end its support for the Loma Larga mine, Cuenca’s “Great March for Water” will continue as planned and is expected to attract tens-of-thousands Tuesday morning. Organizers say President Daniel Noboa’s weekend decision to end the diesel fuel subsidy could attract even larger numbers.

Loma Larga mine protesters were surrounded by police and soldiers in May.

On Thursday, Noboa announced the government was ending its effort to open the gold mine in the Quimsacocha páramo, south of Cuenca. He said the final decision would be left up to the city of Cuenca and Prefecture of Azuay Province but warned that the local governments could be held liable for damages sustained by mine developer Dundee Precious Metals if the mine is not allowed to operate.

Because of the “ambiguity” of the government’s decision, organizers say the march is more important than ever. “There was an implied threat in the president’s comments, which makes it impossible to trust the government,” said Lauro Sigcha, president of the Indigenous and Peasant Organizations of Azuay. “The march will go on and be even bigger. Until we have a final cancellation of the project and until we know that Quimsacocha is safe from exploitation, we will not rest.”

The march will begin at Plazoleta San Roque on Av. Loja at 9 a.m. Tuesday, cross the Rio Tomebamba bridge to the Condamine sector, continue on Calle Tarqui to Mariscal Sucre, taking Sucre to Av. Huayna Cápac. It will then return to El Centro on Simón Bolívar, turn on Padre Aguirre and conclude at Plaza de San Francisco, where a special program will take place.

On the march’s passage down Mariscal Sucre, leaders will deliver a formal complaint against Loma Larga to the Court of Justice of Azuay.

Because of the crowd size, expected to be 20,000 to 30,000, organizers suggest that some marchers join the procession along the route through the historic district.

More than 50 local government, professional and social organizations have voiced their opposition to Loma Linda and will join the march. In addition to the Cuenca city and Azuay provincial governments, administrations of the University of Azuay, the University of Cuenca, Catholic University of Cuenca and the Salesian Polytechnic University have announced support of the march, dismissing classes so students can participate.

In addition to the Indigenous and Peasant Organizations, the Defensores del Agua and the Cabildo Popular por el Agua de Cuenca are coordinating the march.

Klever Calle, leader of the Cabildo, says he expects the march to “orderly and peaceful,” although he says Noboa’s Friday decision to end the diesel fuel subsidy could attract more protesters. “A growing number of people have complaints against the government, but we want to keep the focus on the water,” he said.