Quito (EFE).- The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) announced on Wednesday the end of the strike that began in September in protest of the elimination of the diesel subsidy and other demands.
“In light of the government’s brutal repression, which resulted in three deaths and numerous injured people, we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to end the 2025 National Strike, clear the roads, and retreat to our territories to safeguard the lives of our people,” CONAIE stated.
This announcement came just hours after Noboa stated that they would open the roads in the Andean province of Imbabura, the epicenter of the protests.
In a video posted on social media, CONAIE’s president, Marlon Vargas, expressed “deep concern” regarding Noboa’s announcement on the intervention in Imbabura.
“This government has shown that violating human rights does not limit its decisions,” Vargas added.
Two protesters died during the protests, which were national but centered in Imbabura. Protesters allegedly died from shots fired by security forces.
In the south of the country, a 61-year-old woman belonging to the Saraguro Indigenous group died from cardiorespiratory arrest, allegedly caused by tear gas, according to CONAIE.
No Campaign
Vargas asked Indigenous groups to retreat to their territories and communities. He asserted that “the resistance continues in permanent assemblies and unity to prepare the campaign for ‘No’ in the popular consultation and referendum in defense of the Constitution, democracy, and acquired rights.”
He referred to the call for Ecuadorians to vote on Nov. 16 (at Noboa’s initiative) on the possibility of establishing a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution, as well as the eventual return of foreign military bases to support the fight against crime, among other issues.
Vargas demanded that Noboa demilitarizes all communal territories immediately and order the release of those detained during the demonstrations, including the “12 of Otavalo” (12 de Otavalo in Spanish), who were prosecuted for terrorism after being captured on Sep. 22 following an attack on a police barracks in which 10 vehicles were burned.
In addition, he asked for attention and reparations for the families of deceased victims and injured individuals who still require medical treatment, and no criminalization or persecution of the leaders and members of CONAIE.
“Mr. President, this strike could have been avoided if there had been dialogue and sensitivity before imposing decisions that affect the poorest. If the country had been administered responsibly, if the sick did not continue to die due to a lack of medicine, and if all sectors of Ecuador had been listened to, it could have been avoided,” Vargas said.
“Today, you have a lesson to learn: Power is not imposed; it is built through dialogue with the people. Today, more than ever, we reaffirm that the strength of the Indigenous movement lies in its unity and cohesion. They will not be able to divide or weaken us. We will continue together with one heart and one voice, defending Ecuador and our peoples,” he added.
Noboa announced that they would open the roads of Imbabura “between today and tomorrow” and said that holding dialogues with Indigenous communities prevented the strike from spreading throughout the country.EFE
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