Police evict anti-mining protesters from indigenous community center in Morona Santiago Province

National Police evicted anti-mining protesters Wednesday night from the Interprovincial Federation of Shuars (FICSH) community center in Sucua, Morona Santiago Province. Among those evicted was FICSH President Domingo Ankuash.

Police surround the headquarters of the Shuar Federation, Wednesday night.

According to Nayra Chalan, former vice president of the Movement of the Indigenous People of Ecuador, the raid was part of the government’s plan to replace Ankuash with a leader who supports the development of a large copper mine in the area. “The action was carried out for the purpose of installing David Tankamash, an ally of [President Daniel] Noboa, as president of the FICSH,” she said. “This is all about silencing and crushing opposition to the mine which will devastate our ancestral homeland.”

When reporters asked about the raid Thursday, the Interior Ministry and National Police refused to comment, with a ministry spokeswoman saying that a “full explanation” will be issued soon.

Following his eviction from his office, Ankuash said he and his followers will continue to fight against the Cordillera del Condor mine. “The government is pursuing a strategy of dividing the Shuar people to carry out their extractive policy in the Amazon,” he said. “Most of the Shuar communities were not included in the consultations required by the constitution to approve the mine. This is an illegal action.”

Ankuash says “one or two” Shuar communities have given their approval to the mine, to be operated by the Canadian Lowell-Solaris company. “The vast majority of our people, and of the indigenous population of Ecuador, opposes this project.”

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) condemned the police raid, claiming it violated the collective rights of indigenous people. “A large police force entered the FICSH headquarters without presenting a court order, violating due process and ignoring Constitutional Court rulings that support the rights of the FICSH Governing Council,” CONAIE said in a statement.

CONAIE said it will hold the national government responsible for acts of violence triggered by the police action. It urged indigenous people of the Amazon to remain united in the face of police and corporate encroachment in the territory.