The outcomes of the consultation celebrated in Ecuador show a change in the support for Rafael Correa’s regime: in over ten provinces where the indigenous movement has a majority support, the government’s proposal was defeated, while at a national scale they are talking about a victory of the Yes option by a tight margin, with the support of the hegemonic economic groups.

The president of the National Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Humberto Cholango assessed the outcomes of the consultation, saying it should be a warning for the government so that its political project returns to the grassroots, which are reflected in the 2008 Constitution.

Cholango spoke with Real World Radio in his office in Quito, Ecuador. He said that after the election, the Confederation will focus in the coming weeks to assess the political moment and plan a series of proposals to counteract what he describes as the state’s reaffirmation of the capitalist system to benefit the big power groups.

Cholango reflected on the future of the resistance of the peasant and indigenous movement in Ecuador and in Latin America and its transformation in government processes. In his opinion, the role played by the indigenous movement and its main challenge is to consolidate its position with autonomy.

“We believe the challenge is to build a new, more democratic and more plural state. The battle we need to fight is for the redistribution of the means of production, of land, and the nationalization of water. Structural changes are still needed in Ecuador”, said Cholango.

“The constitution is the synthesis of 20 years of struggle of the social movement, women, students and indigenous”, says Cholango. He believes that the hegemonic groups of Ecuador have prevented the enforcement of the Constitution. Cholango believes Correa’s administration has shown its dependence on the hegemonic groups that would be damaged if the pending structural changes are implemented.

“We acknowledge the social movement was not ready right after the approval of the Constitution. We need to have imagination to have this constitution enforced”, he insisted.

About the consultation, he said that despite the different questions posed, the call opened up the debate to the Ecuadorian people. In fact the consultation dealt with issues that go from bull fighting to changes in the judiciary.

Photo: servindi.org