tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21674624.post6055919337307535707..comments2024-02-21T05:16:22.788-05:00Comments on Two Weeks Notice: A Latin American Politics Blog: Indigenous incorporation in EcuadorGreg Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765114859595124082noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21674624.post-37413155741613666342011-11-07T14:16:57.039-05:002011-11-07T14:16:57.039-05:00In Ecuador, the tensions between the government an...In Ecuador, the tensions between the government and indigenous groups are very real and not at all overblown. The story of Monica Chuji, a former Correa supporter and ex-congresswoman, in today's Diario Hoy is a case in point. <br /><br />http://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/soy-la-dirigente-indigena-198-enjuiciada-en-este-gobierno-512428.html<br /><br />She says she's the 198 indigenous person sued during Correa's almost 5 years in power. Hoy reports that she's being sued by Correa's Secretary of Administration Vinicio Alvarado for allegedly insulting him. Alvarado wants $400,000 and 3 years jail time. Sticks and stones...etc, as the children's rhyme goes, but Correa's boys play for keeps. <br /><br />As a reporter working in Ecuador, government officials have specifically told me that they are trying to break the leadership of the largest indigenous group CONAIE, and I've seen how they try to sow discord among other indigenous groups in order to eliminate the opposition. It's cynical and is a policy that weakens the ability of the historically oppressed indigenous to organize. Shame on the government.<br /><br />The May 7 referendum also showed that majority-indigenous provinces like Chimborazo and Cotopaxi overwhelmingly rejected Correa's proposals, a sign that his policies aren’t appreciated by the masses of that constituency. <br /><br />Finally, in response to Leftside's parting blow against the U.S.: the attack has absolutely nothing to do with the argument in question. It's a red herring, a logical distraction used by those with weak arguments. Logic 101.<br /><br />I'll sign off anonymously, as I'm not comfortable publishing my thoughts publicly. The level of indirect repression on the press in Ecuador is high and revealing my name would probably lock me out of government interviews in the future. Hasta la victoria siempre, no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21674624.post-24506582126840323612011-11-04T03:33:59.334-04:002011-11-04T03:33:59.334-04:00I think this line of thinking is mostly crap. The ...I think this line of thinking is mostly crap. The "tensions" between Andean leftist leaders and indigenous groups are blown way out of proportion at every level for political reason. The majority of indigenous people - and largest groups - still support Correa... and Morales, etc. The dynamics in the groups that supposedly oppose are much more complicated than they are made to seem. Indigenous leaders have been brought into the Correa Government like never before. The big problem - the mining and extraction sectors - was dealt with legislatively. A pretty radical bill passed, giving the local communities a million times more power and benefits than before. It is still not perfect, but for any group to wield veto power over all the country's resources is unfair to everyone else. Correa has shown rare dedication and innovation in trying to preserve pristine land from exploitation - an effort the US has given nothing to...leftsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00676827005815770066noreply@blogger.com