Given the serious situation of social unrest and violation of the legitimate right to protest in Ecuador

 Given the serious situation of social unrest and violation of the legitimate right to protest in Ecuador

Our CLACSO Working Groups, organized in the Inter GTs Network “New Frontiers of Critical Thinking and Struggles for Emancipation from Latin America”We urge all universities in the city of Quito to immediately open their doors to the people, so that the protesters, our Indigenous brothers and sisters, can find shelter from the cold, food, and care while exercising their legitimate democratic right to protest. We ask that they uphold their commitment to the communities with whom they work and from whose perspectives they develop their theories.

We vehemently urge the Ecuadorian State to annul the State of Emergency decree and cease the repression, persecution, and criminalization of the protests and demonstrations taking place in Ecuador as part of the 2022 National Strike. We call on the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Interior to withdraw from the Casa de las Culturas (CCE) so that Indigenous communities can hold their assemblies and discuss ways to resolve the social conflict.

We also reject the expressions of racism that are voiced daily in the mass media. Indigenous and peasant communities not only sustain the food supply for the entire country, but also bear the brunt of the economic and social crisis. In that sense, they have every right to express their discontent.

The demands outlined are essential prerequisites for initiating the dialogue process. The mobilized population cannot engage in dialogue if they lack space for reflection and are being repressed.

The strike called on the 13th by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador has been gathering support and participation from more than 300 organizations, a plurality of oppressed social sectors, hit by the economic and social crisis and/or demanding improvements in the conditions and quality of life of the social majorities in the Andean country.

The government, which initially responded by illegally imprisoning CONAIE's main leader, Leónidas Iza Salazar, continues to ignore the ten demands presented by this organization and has intensified its violent and repressive response in the nation's capital. It has declared a state of siege in five provinces—Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Pichincha, Imbabura, and Pastaza—violating university autonomy through interventions and repression of students in Quito and Cuenca, denying access and movement to the protests in Guayaquil, illegally seizing the House of Cultures in Quito, a traditional refuge for demonstrations due to its proximity to El Arbolito Park (the epicenter of the country's historic protests by social and indigenous organizations), and violently attacking protesters with clashes that have left hundreds injured. The government has also delivered the intolerable news recently reported by indigenous organizations that the repression has already... caused two deaths so far in the conflict.  

The social and economic crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed the lack of social public policies under the Lasso administration, which has prioritized safeguarding the interests of large corporations and banks. The economic crisis is characterized by rampant inflation, resulting in constantly rising prices and the inability of 70% of the population to afford a basic food basket. Furthermore, only 30% of the population has adequate employment. Small-scale producers have been among the hardest hit by the increased prices of essential inputs. The shortage of medicines and the crisis in the health and education systems, the pressure of unpayable debts in various productive sectors, and the expansion of oil and mining frontiers that violate the collective rights of Indigenous peoples and nationalities are some of the elements included in the legitimate demands of this mobilization.

The government's repressive actions are exacerbating the protests, and given the lack of an institutional solution so far and the recurring violations of democratic institutions by the government of Mr. Guillermo Lasso, we view the current situation of the conflict in Ecuador with deep concern.

It is therefore more necessary than ever that the city's universities work for the good of the citizens, the attention, containment and care of the people in the streets.

June 23th, 2022

CLACSO Working Groups articulated in the Inter GTs Network New Frontiers of critical thought and struggles for emancipation from Latin America,
and organizers of the Forum “Territories, struggles and r-existences: Community horizons in the face of the reproduction of inequalities of capitalism in Latin America and the Caribbean”

Territorialities in dispute and r-existence
Political ecology(ies) from the South/Abya-Yala
Anti-capitalisms and emerging sociability
Indigenous peoples, autonomies and collective rights
Borders, regionalization and globalization
Latin American critical geographical thought
Critical studies of rural development

Endorsements of the statement from the international scientific, artistic, health and education communities:

  1. Facundo Rojas, National University of Cuyo, Professor-Researcher
  2. Sandra Rativa Gaona, ICSYH-BUAP, Mexico, Doctoral Candidate, Researcher
  3. Mariano Salomone, sociologist, Incichusa-Conicet
  4. Aida Luz López, Autonomous University of Mexico City, Research Professor
  5. Tatiana Roa Avendaño, Censat Agua Viva
  6. Melissa Moreano, UASB-Ecuador, Political Ecologies, Professor
  7. Lucia Linsalata, Professor-Researcher BUAP – Mexico
  8. Sofía Lanchimba, Professor/UNAM
  9. Eduardo Enrique Aguilar, University Professor / University of Monterrey
  10. Mauricio Sandoval Cordero, Broad Front – Costa Rica
  11. Clara Meyra Segura
  12. Haydeé García Bravo, CEIICH-UNAM
  13. Andrés F. Keiman, Intercollegiate Research Group in Political Ecology, UACM,
    Academic / UACM San Lorenzo Tezonco
  14. José Gandarilla Salgado, Researcher and Professor CEIICH-UNAM
  15. Mylai Burgos Matamoros, Autonomous University of Mexico City
  16. Maristella Svampa, Researcher, Conicet, Argentina
  17. Francisca Fernández Droguett, Movement for Water and Territories-MAT
  18. Breno Bringel, Professor and Researcher, Institute of Social and Political Studies, University
    from the State of Rio de Janeiro
  19. Flor Mercedes Rodríguez Zornoza, GIIEP/Autonomous University of Mexico City
  20. Gabriela Merlinsky, Environmental Studies Group, Gino Research Institute
    Germani, UBA-CONICET Researcher
  21. Gabriela Wyczykier, sociologist UNGS-CONICET
  22. Mónica Baltodano M, Popol Na / member of the Articulation of Social Movements,
    Social scientist and historian
  23. Juan Wahren, University of Buenos Aires / GT Critical Studies of Rural Development
    CLACSO, Sociologist and researcher/CONICET
  24. Liliana Buitrago, Political Ecology Observatory of Venezuela, Activist and researcher
  25. Elvira Concheiro, Treasurer of Mexico
  26. Marcos Filardi, Museum of Hunger
  27. Matias Cribb, Sonamos Latinoamérica, Teacher
  28. Enrique Viale, Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers,
  29. Aleida Azamar Alonso, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Research Professor /
    Autonomous Metropolitan University
  30. Soledad Fernández Bouzo, CONICET UBA
  31. Gisela Hadad, Researcher/ UBA-CONICET
  32. Vicente Solano, University of Cuenca
  33. Natalia Santucci, Scientific Researcher (CONICET)
  34. Pablo Bergel, Self-Convened Group for the Suspension of Payments and Investigation of the Debt
    External relations with the IMF
  35. Pablo Bertinat, UTN
  36. Ivo Peruggino, Multisectoral Wetlands/ MundoAparte, Wildlife Rehabilitation
  37. Ramón Balcázar Morales, Plurinational Observatory of Andean Salt Flats (OPSAL), Activist and
    Doctoral Researcher UAM-Xochimilco
  38. Raquel Neyra, UNALM
  39. Lorena Bottaro, National University of General Sarmiento
  40. Laura Bergel, Professor at UNLa/ Researcher at CIC
  41. Pablo Díaz Estévez, UDELAR
  42. Gabriela Martinez Dougnac, CIEA University of Buenos Aires, Historian – CIEA-UBA
  43. Alejandro Medici, CiDerCrit FCJyS UNLP, Research Professor UNLP
  44. Irina Farrás, Multisectoral Wetlands of Rosario,
  45. Nelsy Lizarazo, Pressenza
  46. Deborah Pragier, Unsam
  47. Alina Herrera Fuentes, Legal Critique and Sociopolitical Conflicts Working Group, CLACSO, Researcher
    INFP Mexico
  48. Claudia Andrea Gotta, Permanent Assembly for Human Rights of Argentina/University
    National University of Rosario, National Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples/Teacher and Researcher
  49. Ezequiel Gatto, Lemon Ink
  50. Carolina Vilches Fuenzalida, MODATIMA
  51. Natacha Scherbovsky, CONICET Doctoral Fellow
  52. Gilberto López y Rivas, National Institute of Anthropology and History
  53. Mikaela Gallegos Gauding, Consultant and Environmental Geographer. Health in Motion Collective.
    Local Environmental Action Corporation
  54. Beatriz Ana Victoria Piedrabuena, Advisory Board of the College of Psychologists, San delegation
    Lorenzo, Argentina
  55. Jorge Chemes, Ecological Workshop
  56. Guillermo Folguera, UBA-CONICET
  57. Lena Lavinas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  58. Aleida Hernández, Unam
  59. Diana Isabel Molina Rodríguez, University of Nariño
  60. Monserrat Candia Rocha, Collective for Action Research Estuarine Imaginaries
  61. Erika Liliana López López, GT Legal Critique and Sociopolitical Conflicts in Latin America, Head of
    Teaching/CEIICH, UNAM
  62. Anabel Rieiro, Fcs Udelar, Professor - Department of Sociology, Uruguay
  63. Alain Geffrouais Social Educator Emancipa
  64. Paula Vidal Molina, Department of Social Work, University of Chile
  65. Victor Giusto, Teacher/Artist UNAFolkore
  66. Rodrigo Guzman, Jaina Study Community,
  67. Victor Hugo Pacheco, UNAM
  68. Daniel Yarmolinski, AFyL. Argentina
  69. Virginia liponezky, La Verdecita Association
  70. Ignacio López Moreno, Department of Social Processes, Autonomous University
    Metropolitan
  71. Fernanda Poblete, Chile Without Ecocide
  72. Lilians López, IPFreire Rosario Argentina, present in this legitimate claim!
  73. Ivette Vallejo Real, Collective of Women Anthropologists of Ecuador, Flacso Ecuador
  74. Martin Leonard, ATE-Conicet (Argentina), Professor, researcher / National University of Rosario –
    Conicet (Argentina)
  75. Perla Valero, GT Legacies and Perspectives of Marxism
  76. Alejandra Ciriza, Professor, National University of Cuyo – Mendoza, Argentina
  77. Elizabeth Peredo Beltran, OBCCD (Bolivian Climate Change Observatory)
  78. Lucrecia Wagner, CONICET Researcher, Argentina
  79. Marcelo Coelho, journalist
  80. Leandro Rodríguez, Marabunta, an Argentine social and political movement, Professor at UBA
  81. Noelia Figueroa, CIFEG UNR
  82. Bila Sorj, Professor/ Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  83. Juan Antonio Acacio, National University of La Plata/CONICET/GECIPE, Argentina
  84. Ricardo Robles Zamarripa, Doctoral Candidate, Center for Social Studies, U. Coimbra,
    Portugal
  85. FLORENCIA ROVETTO, UNR
  86. María Eugenia Garfi, National University of Rosario
  87. Florencia Catelani, Mala Junta- Argentina, National University of Rosario
  88. Luciano Fabbri, Mascs UNR Institute
  89. Marcelo Andrés Maisonnave, National University of Rosario. Argentina
  90. Sebastian Alejandro García Caicedo, Colombia Humana, University of Nariño
  91. Gina Chavez, Professor
  92. Miguel Prieto, Bachelor of Physical Education
  93. Aymará Barés, IIDyPCa, Conicet Postdoctoral Fellow
  94. Mariángeles Camusso, Secretary of Gender and Sexualities, Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, UNR
  95. Martin Vizgarra, Radio ATE Argentina, Psychologist, Ministry of Social Development
  96. Victor Romero, UNAM
  97. Blanca S. Fernández, Teacher (Unpaz, Unlam, Uba)
  98. Lucía Rivera Ferreiro, Professor at UPN in Mexico
  99. Marcelino Guerra Mendoza, University Professor. UPN
  100. Noelia Gutiérrez, Sociologist
  101. Nadia Scaliter, Psychologist
  102. Alejandro Mantilla, La Creciente, National University of Colombia
  103. Ana Pohlenz de Tavira, UNAM-Mexico
  104. Rocío Moltoni, Cifeg, National University of Rosario, Argentina
  105. Oscar Soto, GT-CLACSO Critical Studies of Rural Development
  106. Clarisa Leonard, Political Scientist - National University of Rosario
  107. Eduardo Piccione, Visual Arts, Visual Artist
  108. Lucía Figueroa, Cifeg, Teacher
  109. Fernando Bejarano, RAPAM,
  110. Susana Roitman, Professor, National University of Villa María, Argentina
  111. Gilca García de Oliveira, Geographer/UFBA, Professor
  112. Maria Laura Filippini
  113. Mauro Benente, University of Buenos Aires/ National University of José C. Paz
  114. Santiago Bastos, Researcher CIESAS Southeast, Mexico
  115. Alejandro L. Soriano Miranda, In my personal capacity, Attorney
  116. Elizabeth Parisi, Argentine Ecofeminist, Social Psychologist, Inap Coordinator, Ministry
    Public works in Argentina
  117. Jorge Falcone, Free People's Organizations – Resist and Fight, Documentarian and writer
  118. Floresmilo Simbaña, Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador CONAIE,
    Teacher
  119. Jesús Antonio Machuca Ramírez, Seminar on Borders, Chicanos, and National Issues,
    Research Professor at the National Institute of Anthropology and History
  120. Mónica Montalvo, The Digital Watermelon, Coordinator of Land and Territory
  121. Lisandro Citta, Forum for the Recovery of the Paraná River, Teacher
  122. María Celeste Romero, Center for Cannabis Culture Studies, Medical psychiatrist
  123. Marilyn Machado-Mosquera, Kuagro ri Changaina, Colombian woman
  124. Elida Márquez, CODESO, Professor/UNVM
  125. Geraldine Sulkin, Anthill, Political Scientist
  126. Maritza Damann Gormaz, Women for Good Living Puchuncavi Quintero, Founder
  127. Silvia Molina, Protecting Our Trees Rosario, President
  128. Marta Sahores, Esquel Assembly,
  129. Horacio Machado Aráoz, Political Ecology Collective of the South, Researcher at the Regional Institute
    of Sociocultural Studies, IRES, CONICET-UNCA, Argentina
  130. Fernando Stratta, Popular Communication Collective Contrahegemoniaweb,
    Lecturer/Researcher, National University of Lanús (Argentina)
  131. Ana Lucía Ferraz, University of São Paulo, Professor
  132. Adriana Rodriguez, Uasb, Teacher
  133. Luciana Fernández, Ancasti Assembly, Teacher/Anthropologist
  134. Osvaldo Aly Junior, Brazilian Agricultural Reform Association ABRA, Teacher and researcher
  135. Marta S. Candela, Worker in the movement area
  136. Elsa Guzman, Professor
  137. Monica Cox de Britto Pereira, ufpe geography neppag, Profa Universitária
  138. Libertad Mascarini, Professor/Faculty of Agronomy, UBA
  139. Francisca Perea, Fiambalá Awakens Assembly – Pucara, Retired
  140. Susana Pariani, National University of Lujan, Agricultural Engineer
  141. Viviano Borra, Independent, Self-employed worker
  142. Marisol Dominguez, Gender and Territory Ayacucho, Teacher
  143. Sonia Boueiri, Latin American Foundation for Human Rights and Social Development
    (Fundalatin), Advisor
  144. Ayelen Perrotta, Aware, Mental Health
  145. John Ackerman, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Researcher and Professor
  146. Sebastian Levalle, Clacso, CONICET
  147. Mauricio Stirnemann, Retired Teacher
  148. Nathalia Hernández Vidal, Researcher
  149. Laura Álvarez, Professor
  150. Ana María de Veintimilla, Political Ecology Working Group of the Latin American Council
    CLACSO Social Sciences Institute of Third World Ecological Studies Ecuador
  151. Marta Aravena Schiaffino, Women for Good Living, Member
  152. Aideé Tassinari Azcuaga, Autonomous University of Mexico City (UACM),
    Professor – Researcher
  153. Laura Gutiérrez Escobar, Javeriana University – Bogotá
  154. Emiliano Teran Mantovani, Central University of Venezuela, Ecology Observatory
    Venezuelan politics,
  155. Mario Sosa, Researcher and Professor at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala
  156. Miriam Lang, Southern Ecosocial Pact, professor
  157. Ligia Z. Peláez, UIMQROO, Professor-Researcher
  158. Ana Caren Alvarado González, RED-MAES, Student specializing in sovereignty
    food
  159. Domingo Meneses M, Intercultural University of Chiapas, Professor
  160. Carlos Chablé Mendoza, Chronicler of Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  161. Fidencio Briceño Chel, Peninsular Maya People, Human Rights Activist
  162. Lorena Navarro Trujillo, Autonomous University of Puebla, Research Professor
  163. Iréri Ceja National Museum/UFRJ
  164. Álvaro Alvarez, CIG (FCH – UNCPBA) IGHCS (Conicet- UNCPBA), Professor – Researcher
  165. José Luis Moctezuma Zamarrón, Group for the Support of Endangered Languages ​​(GALA),
    Researcher. INAH Sonora Center. Mexico
  166. Margara Millán. Network of decolonial feminisms, University Professor
  167. ROLAND TERBORG, PROFESSOR AT UNAM
  168. José Antonio Flores Farfán, Linguapax, Linguist
  169. Carlos A. Silva, GT CLACSO, Lawyer and Professor
  170. Pablo Uc, GT Bodies, Territories and Resistances, Researcher. Cesmeca. Ciesas
  171. Andrea Pagano, Regenera tu Huella, Founder and General Coordinator.
  172. Jacobo Vargas Foronda, Jurist and Sociologist
  173. Roberto Cittadini, University of Mar del Plata, Argentina, Research Professor
  174. Bruno, University of Geneva, Master student
  175. Jhonny Coa Huanca, Csutcb, Community Member
  176. Luisa Paz Jimenez, UNED, Anthropologist – Educator
  177. Fernando Cabrera Christiansen, Southern Petroleum Observatory, Abya Yala, Working Group
    Critical Studies of Rural Development, CLACSO
  178. Carlos Salamanca, Spaces, Politics, Societies Program, Center for Studies
    Interdisciplinary, National University of Rosario, Researcher
  179. Jacqueline Pitanguy, CEPIA, CEPIA Director
  180. Ana Radusky, Anti-extractivist feminists from the South, Singer and weaver
  181. Tito Medina, Tzijolaj Guatemala-Canada, Singer-Songwriter – Mayan-Mestizo Grandfather
  182. Betiana Tajomisski, Employee
  183. Diego Fidalgo, Rosario Association of Documentary Filmmakers, Audiovisual Producer
  184. Pillar Esposito, Social Communicator
  185. Mariela Rubinzal, Teacher
  186. Cecilia Carrizo, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Professor
  187. Victor Villanueva, Independent Research
  188. Heriberta Fernández Liriano, Montalvo Center, Local Development Coordinator
  189. Paty Couturier Bañuelos, CLACSO, UAM
  190. Mayco Macias, CEIL-CONICET, Researcher in training and environmental advocate
  191. Cecilia Mc Donnell, Rosario Feminist Philosophy Assembly, CONICET-UNGS-UNR
  192. Ana Siufi, Growing with Hope Project, Sister of Mercy of the Americas
  193. Victor Radusky Retired
  194. María Belén Machado Aráoz, CEBs, Teacher
  195. María Maneiro, CONICET/Faculty of Social Sciences-IIGG-UBA
  196. Luis Alvarenga, UCA, El Salvador, Writer and teacher
  197. Melisa Argento, Group for Studies in Geopolitics and Common Goods, CONICET UBA/ IEALC and
    A R
  198. Flor Canché, –, Research Professor/ Freelance Work
  199. CLACSO Working Group: Legacies and Perspectives of Marxism

This statement expresses the position of the aforementioned Working Groups and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.