Solidarity with CONAIE and the National Strike of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador

From the network of academic institutions and researchers organized in the CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty, we express our solidarity with the struggles and current conflict led by CONAIE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador) as well as the indigenous nations-peoples and Ecuadorian social movements that are currently carrying out a national strike throughout the country.

Since Daniel Noboa assumed the presidency, the democratic and social crisis in Ecuador has worsened:

-The narco-criminal invasion and militarization of territories of indigenous peoples and nationalities
-The granting and sale of common natural resources to national and multinational companies. Even with threats and expansion of mining operations and destruction of nature.
-Prolonged crisis and deterioration in public services, especially in public health and services
sanitary.
-Tax increases such as the VAT to 15%, elimination of fuel subsidies, among others.
-Growing authoritarianism, militarization and concentration of power by Daniel Noboa.
-Currently in the parishes of La Esperanza (Imbabura), San Rafael, in the Kichwa communities of
In Otavalo and other regions of the country, repressive deployments of military and police forces are taking place, resulting in institutional violence and arbitrary arrests of mobilized Indigenous communities and peoples. This includes the murders of community leaders detained in the prisons of Esmeraldas and Portoviejo.

The national strike being carried out by CONAIE demands, in the plurinational and democratic struggle from the territories of the indigenous nationalities:

1. The immediate repeal of Decree 126 of the National Government.
2. VAT reduction from 15% to 12%.
3. End the extractive model, respect for prior consultation.
4. Urgent budget for health, education and real security.
5. Revocation of mining licenses in Quimsacocha, Las Naves, Palo Quemado and more.
6. Compliance with court rulings: Yasuní and Tagaeri-Taromenane peoples.
7. Stop the repression and persecution against social activists and indigenous peoples.
8. Risk to life and physical integrity of indigenous leaders and communities in conflict and struggle.

For years, the CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty has been working together with CONAIE and its health references. Currently, CONAIE itself (from the previous team of Leonidas Iza and the current health team of Marlon Vargas) leads the Open Chair and Social Movements for Health Sovereignty.
Without a doubt, the struggle of the current CONAIE in Ecuador is a complete representation of territoriality and territories of health sovereignty that belong neither to governments nor ministries, but to the nations and peoples of the South.

August 24th, 2025
CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty

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