Indigenous people announce protests over economic crisis in Ecuador

The president of the Conaie, Leonidas Iza, stated that the protests will be for an indefinite period of time.

The indigenous community of Ecuador will return to the streets next Monday to demand economic transformations in the country, after months of unsuccessful dialogues with the Government.

"Those of us who feel the weight (of) the crisis, high product prices, those of us who produce, take care of the family economy and nature, join in," declared the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) on its official twitter profile.

From the Conaie they indicated that the National Mobilization will start with a document of ten demands, among which are the "reduction and no more increase in the price of fuel" and "fair prices in farm products" such as milk, rice, banana and potatoes.

They also request jobs and labor rights and the allocation of a budget to supply hospitals due to the lack of medicines and health personnel.

The brake on crime, drug trafficking, kidnappings and violence in general is also part of the ten requirements of the Conaie.

For his part, the Minister of the Interior of Ecuador pointed out that this demonstration "in practice, is a week of blocked roads and oil wells, kidnappings of police and military, looting, etc."

The president of the Conaie, Leonidas Iza, described the ministerial declaration as "very serious" since it announces in advance "the repression that will be carried out against the civilian population."

The Conaie has actively participated in riots that have caused the deposition of three Ecuadorian presidents and in 2019 it led marches that caused the death of several citizens.

The indigenous population of Ecuador, represented by Conaie, exceeds one million and is mainly dedicated to agricultural activities