Indigenous chiefs of Shuar nationality from the province of Morona Santiago, allies of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie)have expressed their rejection and do not exclude mobilizations against the mining investments agreed by the government of Daniel Noboa Azin during his trip to Canada.

Since last Thursday, President Daniel Noboa and several of his ministers have started a tour of the United States and Canada in search of investments and meetings with the authorities.

One of them was carried out by the Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, Sonsoles García, with the signing of six mining investment agreements for approximately $4.8 billion, according to official information.

This has generated a rejection within the basic structures of the Amazonian indigenous movement, who affirm the absence of prior, free and informed consultation in their territories, as established by the Constitution and international standards, before signing these draft agreements. extractive investment.

In a public statement by Conaie in Quito, this March 6, 2024, several authorities of indigenous organizations were presented, including Felipe Mashiant, president of the Shuar Nation of Ecuador (Nashe), who denounced David Tankamash, president of the Interprovincial Federation of Shuar Centers (Ficsh), for embarking on the presidential trip without the authorization of the leaders and even less to represent them, insinuating that the communities were consulted to sign these agreements.

“David Tankamash cannot speak for the people of the Shuar people. We refuse to allow the government to receive $4 billion from Canada, thus paving the way for 249 large-scale mining concessions on our territories. This is not permitted. If this happens, if a mining company reaches our territories, we will organize a mobilization and continue the fighting,” Mashiant said.

Jaime Palomino, president of the Shuar Arutam people, said it was a “non-consulted” project and filed a complaint with the national government to ensure his rights were respected. “The territories are not sold,” he asks.

The leaders demanded from grassroots organizations that Tankamash be removed from office for acting arbitrarily.

At the end he spoke president of Conaie, Leonidas Iza, who said: “President Daniel Noboa has declared his position of hostility towards the indigenous peoples of Ecuador. “His hostile attitude towards indigenous peoples.”

Iza accused Noboa of being in a conflict of interest because the Noboa group, of which the president's family executives are directors, would benefit.

“You have interests in the mining sector and participate in the country's mining concessions… The greatest interest is to sell to Canada to generate income through your Noboa Group companies. “They give themselves (resources) and cede rights over our territories to cover what is lacking in this country,” criticized the leader.

The indigenous movement plans to organize a national congress on March 15 in Quito, during which it will analyze the actions it will take against government policies and against the popular consultation and the referendum of April 21.

According to Iza, the “artful consultation” contains a question of constitutional amendment on international arbitration, which amounts to ceding Ecuadorian sovereignty.

Another assembly of its bases would take place on March 22 and, on this occasion, the definition of protest actions against the extractivism of mineral resources is planned.

While decisions are being made, community guards will be strengthened so that violent infiltrations by mining companies are not allowed, Iza warned. (YO)