The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) denounced systematic repression by the government of Daniel Noboa in the province of Imbabura, after the entry of an alleged “humanitarian convoy” that, according to the communities, acted as a covert military outpost, while denouncing the murder of a third demonstrator, José Guamán, who was shot in the chest. and more than 30 injured during the protests in the town of Otavalo.

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Indigenous territories have been militarized and our brothers are being persecuted and injured,” said leader Hatari Sarango, who confirmed the death of Rosa Paqui Seraquive, an elderly woman of the Kichwa Saraguro people, allegedly by asphyxiation due to the indiscriminate use of tear gas.

Another victim was José Guamán, a community member from Chachibiro, Imbabura province, shot directly in the chest during the incursion of the “humanitarian convoy.” He was reported alive after being taken to the hospital, but died due to his injuries.

They join Efraín Fuerez, murdered days ago. In a resolution issued on October 14, CONAIE resolved to demand justice and accountability before international organizations, and announced the creation of its own humanitarian convoy from the villages, with the aim of assisting the wounded and displaced in communities affected by state violence.

The organization also called for an urgent medical mission to attend to the victims of repression and reaffirmed its rejection of the government’s economic model and the popular consultation promoted by Noboa, which they describe as a mechanism of distraction from the social crisis.

In Imbabura, human rights organizations report more than 30 injured and multiple irregular detentions, after the operation called “humanitarian convoy”, renamed by the communities as the “Convoy of Death”, in reference to the massive entry of police and military forces, some of them dressed in civilian clothes and with their faces covered.

Videos released by alternative media and international observers show gunshots, tear gas, and arbitrary raids in rural neighborhoods and communities.

Given the seriousness of the facts, the Provincial Council of Imbabura, made up of local authorities, issued a joint statement in which they make an urgent call for an end to the violence and the opening of a frank and responsible dialogue.

The authorities insisted that “peace is only built by respecting life and human rights,” stressing that rectification is not weakness, but political wisdom.

However, tension in the north of the country continues. Despite the repression, the CONAIE announced that it will maintain the protests until a national dialogue is achieved with guarantees of non-criminalization and the immediate release of the detainees.

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