With reference to the accusations of divisions within the organization, Cholango said that CONAIE is a diverse movement, and that the differences make it stronger. Anyway, he called indigenous leaders to be careful with their public statements that could weaken their struggle. He also highlighted that the CONAIE is strong in its rejection to the popular consultation of May 7th proposed by Correa’s administration.

CONAIE represents 18 indigenous peoples from Ecuador, from 14 nationalities. Its member organizations are the Federation of Indigenous Peoples from the Ecuadorian Amazon Forest (CONFENIAE), the Federation of Indigenous Peoples from the Ecuadorian Coast (CONAICE) and the Federation of Kichwa Peoples from Ecuador (ECUARUNARI).

Cholango was president of ECUARUNARI from 2003 and 2006 and from 2006 to 2009, and was also the founder and first coordinator of the Andean Coordination of Indigenous Organizations.

In an interview with Radio Ecuador Inmediato, Cholango said that he represents a part of the Ecuadorian indigenous movement that “has always fought against the neoliberal model and has never made pacts with the right-wing.”

Several communication media have reported strong confrontations in the elections of CONAIE and huge differences among its members. Some indigenous leaders made reference to an intrusion by the government in the elections, even economically, and there are some people who refer to Cholango as a member of the government.

The new Chair of CONAIE talked about this with the Radio: “This is not true, I have never agreed with the government and even less with Correa’s administration”, he said. “I’ve always fought against Free Trade Agreements, against oil companies such as Oxy (a US company that had to leave the country in 2005), in favor of the deprivatization of water, improvement of education in indigenous and peasant communities.” “The indigenous movement proposes to change the nature of power”, he added.

Cholango said that the government and other political actors tried to divide the indigenous movement so that they couldn’t choose their own authorities. “I think they have failed, and we will continue in this struggle together.” The leader also said that the different opinions within the movement must not be interpreted as a division, because CONAIE is “a broad and diverse” space. However, he called “the leaders and people who think in different ways to join their thoughts, because these opinions weaken the indigenous movement.”

Cholango also said that this movement needs to be unified to confront the popular consultation promoted by Correa’s administration. On May 7th, the Ecuadorian people will have to express their opinion on issues such as justice, insecurity and the control of communication media. There will be ten questions.

The 4th Congress of CONAIE issued a political declaration that opposes the popular consultation and Correa’s administration. “We don’t agree with this consultation, and for this reason we will inform, organize and campaign for a NO”, said Cholango. “The consultation is a proposal by Correa on behalf of the right-wing.”

Photo: ECUARUNARI.