124 words
21 May 2008
Business Monitor International
English
© Copyright 2008 Business Monitor International.
The powerful Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador
(Conaie) - the representative body of Ecuador's indigenous peoples -
has been officially declared an opposition party by the government
after the body's president, Marlon Santi, threatened the possibility of
protests to forestall the president's mining reform program. Conaie's
demands are twofold: to have the new constitution officially recognise
indigenous rights, and to have the authorities consult local
communities before extractive licences on their land are approved. One
regional chapter head has urged dialogue, and a timeframe for any
protest not been set. While the space for negotiation exists, President
Correa faces the very real possibility of widespread strikes and
roadblocks by the powerful lobby.
