Iza’s statement came following the violent disturbances in the Fierro Urco hill in Loja, where officers and soldiers clashed with community members who oppose mining projects in the region.

Iza stated that Lasso broke the agreements of the negotiation tables, where they agreed to guarantee a prior and informed consultation in all stages of mining development.

The indigenous leader stated that the Ecuadorian Government uses illegal mining as a strategy to establish legal mining in these territories, for which he warned that national and foreign investors could lose their capital.

This Friday, CONAIE will define the organization’s actions and assess possible mobilizations given the political crisis in the country.

ef/iff/mem/nte