Ecuador's Indigenous movement launched a national strike over growing inequality, neoliberal economic policies, and expansion of oil and mining activity on their territories. It is the second time in less than a year that Indigenous peoples have been forced to take to the streets to denounce policies that are putting their lives, livelihoods, territories, and our planet at risk.

Their demands for economic and environmental justice and respect for rights were met with brutal repression. Only 24 hours into the protest – a right guaranteed by the country's constitution – CONAIE leader Leonidas Iza was detained by unidentified special forces officers, and his right to due process were repeatedly violated. After he was released, his car was hit by several bullets from unknown assailants.

Meanwhile, the administration encouraged counter-demonstrators to take to the streets and challenge the Indigenous movement, which exacerbated the conflict instead of de-escalating it. The repression has not ceased. President Lasso has made hollow “offers of dialogue,” while police and military forces in the streets continue to tear gas and beat protesters.

Ecuador's Indigenous movement is reluctant to take Lasso's dialogue offer seriously because there haven't been tangible steps taken by the government during previous meetings. After a November 2021 strike, CONAIE sat with the Lasso administration to air their concerns. But they were physically pushed out of the presidential palace and endured eight months of inaction, only to see poverty, inflation, unemployment, and extractive activity rise. The United Nations, the Organization of American States, and over 300 institutions have also called on the government to de-escalate the situation to reach an agreement with Indigenous leaders.

Now is the time to act in solidarity with Indigenous people across Ecuador who are defending their rights, territories, and cultures, and denounce Lasso's violent tactics of repression!