The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) announced Wednesday the rejection of the military plan proposed by the Government of Ecuador to protect mining projects.
In a press conference, CONAIE leaders, led by its president, Leonidas Iza, have assured that they do not want military or police presence in the exploitation projects because most of them are located within the indigenous communities.
Iza, who assured that the agreements reached after this summer’s mobilizations are not being respected, pointed out that «they are trying to militarize the country, claiming that there is a presence of drug traffickers», and argued that «it is not true that putting more military and police will solve the drug trafficking issue».
«The militarization of the territories where the mining companies are located will not be allowed because they have never guaranteed the right to prior, free and informed consultation», added the CONAIE leader.
In this sense, he informed that the indigenous movement will create an «anti-mining front» that will delimit and create water protection zones to guarantee water in the future.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
