Cultural Survival condemns the violence perpetrated by the Ecuadorian government towards Indigenous Peoples peacefully resisting the high cost of living in the country and in defense of their territories. During the September 2025, Indigenous Peoples in Ecuador rose up and carried out a series of peaceful protests in various regions of the country. First, a series of protests began in the southern region of the province of Azuay, demanding the revocation of a mining concession in Kimsakocha and the halting of mining projects in the páramos of the province.
Meanwhile, since September 22, other Indigenous communities have joined the mobilization called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) to express their rejection of arbitrary and extractivist measures taken by the current government of Daniel Noboa. These include the increase in diesel subsidies, the expansion of mining concessions, and the threat to reopen oil bidding in the Amazon, which threaten to make their lives more expensive and continue the depredation of their territories. The protests have spread to several regions, especially in the north, where they are now converging to denounce all violations of their rights. In response, the government has refused to listen to the demands uplifted through the right to resistance and has begun a campaign that is discrediting, criminalizing, and repressing protesters.
To date, nearly 100 people have been arbitrarily detained and 47 have been injured in attacks by the armed forces. One Kichwa person from Otavalo was detained and released shortly thereafter, but 12 others who were also detained and accused of terrorism were transferred to maximum security prisons with a high probability of being sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment. Physical violence has escalated to such a level that on September 28, Efraín Fueres, from the Kichwa Cotacachi community, was killed by the armed forces while he was protesting in Ilumán, Imbabura, in the north of the country.
Another measure that the government has taken to repress Indigenous Peoples in resistance has been the censorship of the most important community media outlets, such as the Ecuadorian Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCOTEL) and the channel of the Indigenous and Peasant Movement of Cotopaxi. There are also reports of power cuts and internet signal blockages in Cotacachi and Otavalo to cut off communication with the population. In addition, Indigenous leaders have reported that their bank accounts have been frozen without any kind of court order.
In light of this scenario of total injustice, repression, and violation of the right to freedom of expression by the government, we affirm that Indigenous Peoples are not terrorists and do not act with violence, even though that is how the government treats us for demanding our rights.
Cultural Survival, an organization led by Indigenous people and allies, condemns the massacre being carried out against our relatives in Ecuador. We stand in solidarity with them, support their struggle, and demand that the Ecuadorian government cease fire and respect their fundamental rights.
We also demand the release of all protesters who have been arbitrarily imprisoned, as well as justice and reparations for the victims and their families. We call for a dialogue free of violence in which the Ecuadorian authorities listen to the demands of Indigenous Peoples in defense of life and the environment, and guarantee their rights, recognized both in the Ecuadorian constitution and in international instruments ratified by the country, such as International Labor Organization Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Top photo by Brandi Morin.
