Ecuador’s Indigenous movement and the Lasso government have agreed to a temporary moratorium on all new oil and mining concessions. This major development puts the country’s plans to double oil production and significantly boost mining investment in question.

The deal was reached after 60 days of negotiations between Indigenous organizations and the government, which were the result of an 18-day strike by Indigenous peoples. The moratorium will remain in place for at least 12 months or until there is a law guaranteeing the right to free, prior, and informed consultation for Indigenous peoples before such activities can take place in their territories.

Indigenous representatives are not satisfied with the negotiations and are discussing strategies to secure government responses to their core demands.

They are also calling for a moratorium on all current oil and mining production and for any new concessions to be canceled. Nevertheless, the agreement is a necessary first step that blocks new contracts and projects without consultation with Indigenous peoples.