In the early hours of Wednesday (15), the Ecuadorian justice system released indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who had been detained amid protests against the government, which have lasted three days. He was accused by the Public Ministry of paralyzing public transport service by blocking roads and was held for about 24 hours.
Raúl Ilaquiche, who is part of Iza’s defense team, told AFP that the judge in the city of Latacunga has ordered the leader to periodically report to the Public Ministry until the start of the trial. Lawyers consider the detention illegal.
The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the decision on its Twitter account, noting that the Justice granted alternative measures to detention in flagrante delicto for “alleged paralysis of a public service” – a crime that can be punished with up to three years in prison in the country.
Iza is president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie) and leads demonstrations against the government of Guillermo Lasso, in which indigenous people demand a reduction in fuel prices and the renegotiation of rural workers’ debts with banks, in addition to complaining about unemployment and granting mining licenses in indigenous territories.
Other protesters said the release should not slow the movement. “Calling these marches is not just his whim. Ecuadorians are feeling the high cost of living first hand,” Carlos Sucuzhanay, head of Ecuarunari, told local media. “We want the president to reorient himself to work in the service of the country.”
Between 1997 and 2005, entities linked to indigenous people such as Conaie participated in acts that helped to overthrow three presidents. Native peoples represent at least 1 million of the 17.7 million Ecuadorians.
Iza, after leaving prison at a military base in Latacunga, was greeted with hugs by supporters – a woman “cleansed” his body with medicinal plants. Protesters shouted “long live the struggle” and “long live the strike” at the venue.
“We continue with the fight, we are not going to take away anyone’s right, we just hope that our rights that are being violated are also heard,” said the indigenous leader. “Let’s not get demoralized.” A wave of protests late last year had already heightened tension between Lasso and the indigenous people and was marked by a freeze in fuel prices.
Iza is now banned from leaving the country and is expected to appear before the Public Ministry on Wednesdays and Fridays until July 4, when her trial will begin. The prison served as fuel for the protests, with police cars set on fire, journalists attacked, roads blocked – including roads leading to Quito, which were closed since Monday – and oil wells paralyzed.
In the capital, protesters burned a patrol vehicle. In the Amazon region, they forced the stoppage of activities in the wells of the Chinese company PetroOriental, which estimates losses of 1,400 barrels per day.
At least 20 people were arrested. Lasso said acts of vandalism will be punished and protests that affect the country’s economic recovery will not be allowed. “We hope that rationality will be the first thing observed by the protesters and the leaders of the acts,” said Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo.
