Ecuador: NO TRUCE, NO NEGOTIATION: BLOOD AND STRUGGLE ARE NOT BARGAINED AWAY!
We hereby share an unofficial translation of a statement by the Defense Front of the People’s Struggles of Ecuador (FDLP-EC) on the current protests that are taking place in the country.
Fuel the Indigenous-People’s Uprising!
During these days of struggle against Noboa’s fascist regime—a struggle that involves not only the indigenous movement, but also peasants, artisans, students, and the popular masses as a whole—we have repeatedly warned of the risk that certain leaders will once again betray their rank and file and, with that, the oppressed and exploited people.
We already experienced this scenario in 2019 and 2022, when the leadership of the indigenous movement “negotiated” the indigenous-people’s uprising at dialogue tables that demobilized the masses.
Today is no different. Several Ecuarunari leaders are calling for “peace” and even “prayer” alongside the armed forces, who repress and murder the people. It seems incredible, but it is happening. We have had to confront the lies of the regime, which is trying by all means to quell the uprising, and confront certain local officials. The mayor of Ibarra, for example, mobilizes sectors with feudal and racist fervor to call for “peace” and urge demobilization. Added to this scenario of reaction is the leadership of the FICI and, in particular, its president, Mesías Flores, who, ignoring the resolutions of the rank and file, proposes ‘truces’ and “dialogue.”
Our position is clear: there will be no demobilization until the following demands are met:
- Repeal of Executive Decree 126, which eliminates the diesel subsidy.
- No to the referendum.
- Immediate release of all those detained during the protests, including our elderly comrade Zoila Vásquez from Molleturo.
- A thorough investigation and criminal prosecution of those responsible for the murder of our comrade Efraín Fuerez in Cotacachi and for all acts of repression against the people.
In the face of attempts at betrayal, we affirm:
Political punishment and indigenous/people’s justice for traitors. Anyone who negotiates behind the backs of the grassroots must face internal political sanctions (removal from office, disqualification, expulsion from organizations). No impunity, no clean slate.
Mandate from the grassroots, not from cowardly opportunists. No agreement is valid if it does not emanate from indigenous and popular assemblies with grassroots legitimacy. No closed-door “negotiating tables” behind the backs of the masses and their legitimate demands and objectives.
Maintain and expand the mobilization. Persist with blockades, marches, permanent assemblies, organized people’s cordons and territorial control; strengthen supply mobilization units, medical and legal brigades, community security committees and people’s communication to break the media siege.
Worker-peasant (indigenous)-popular unity. The response to manipulation and fear is more organization, more discipline, greater determination in the uprising, and programmatic firmness.
Let us not give an inch of political space to the leaders of the FICI, or any indigenous, peasant, union, or popular structure that seeks to demobilize or negotiate the blood of our martyrs and the vital efforts of those who sustain the struggle.
NO TRUCE, NO BETRAYAL!
UNTIL THE PEOPLE’S DEMANDS ARE MET!
LET’S NOT ALLOW THE OPPORTUNISTS TO BARGAIN WITH THE PEOPLE’S BLOOD!
LET’S NOT ALLOW THE COWARDS TO BARGAIN WITH THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES!
EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT FOR THE CAPITULATORS AND TRAITORS OF THE PEOPLE!
FUEL THE UPRISING UNTIL THE OBJECTIVES SET FROM THE BEGINNING ARE ACHIEVED!
ORGANIZE–COMBAT–RESIST!
IT IS RIGHT TO REBEL!
