An agreement was reached between the Government and the indigenous representatives that put an end to the national strike, after 18 days of protests With the mediation of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (CEE) on 30 June.
The agreement was signed in the auditorium of the SantÃsima Trinidad parish, in the capital Quito. Among the ecclesial representatives was the president of the CEE, Msgr. Luis Cabrera thanked us “for trusting in the mediation of the Church” and assured us that they can always count on us on this path of hope.
On behalf of the government of Guillermo Lasso, the Minister of Government, Francisco Jiménez; the secretary of the Administration, Iván Correa; and the legal secretary of the Presidency, Fabián Pozo.
Participating in the indigenous movement were the president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), Leonidas Iza; from the National Confederation of Peasant, Indigenous and Black Organizations (Fenocin), Gary Espinoza; and the Council of Evangelical Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Ecuador (Feine), Eustaquio Tuala.
On June 13, a national strike began in Ecuador called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), to demand that the Government reduce fuel prices, guarantee “fair prices” for basic necessities and give subsidies. small farmers, among other demands.
Dialogue between the two parties began on Monday, but on Tuesday President Lasso refused to continue with the talks after a soldier died in a clash between protesters and troops in the province of SucumbÃos.
However, on Wednesday night the Executive accepted that the EEC intercede in the dialogue with the indigenous leaders instead of the president of the National Assembly, Virgilio Saquicela.
After 18 days of protests, the clashes left six dead, including a soldier, and some 500 wounded.
Among the agreements reached this Thursday is the Government’s commitment to lowering the price of subsidized fuels by 15 cents, repealing the state of exception decreed in four provinces, as well as not granting more mining concessions in natural reserves, water recharge areas, intangibles and indigenous territories.
During his speech, Msgr. Cabrera thanked “the Ecuadorian people for their good heart and good sense in dealing with and solving the country’s problems.”
“Thanks to the indigenous organizations for their flexibility and openness with all sectors of society, thanks to the Government for listening to the clamor of the people and responding in a concrete way to their demands,” he said, stating that “peace is always possible through dialogue.”
Adapted from aciprensa