The meeting, whose motto is “For the defense of territories, nature, water, and life”, will discuss how to confront the advance of mining.

The meeting will take place while the communities of Palo Quemado and Las Pampas, in the province of Cotopaxi, resist attempts to implement the La Plata mining project.

Locals marched this Thursday in Palo Quemado carrying posters and chanting slogans in opposition to mining activity, in particular against exploitation by the Canadian company Atico Mining which aims to obtain the concession of the operations.

The protesters called for an immediate end to the repression by the police and the army, which has left several people injured.

“Megamining is imposing itself by blood and fire in Ecuador,” the organization stated on X, showing images of injured people and examples of the ammunition used to repress protesters.

The leader of the CONAIE, Leonidas Iza, went to the National Assembly to denounce the violent events, which began a little over a week ago. Iza stated that the Nobis Group, belonging to President Noboa’s family, participates in mining, therefore there is a conflict of interest.

Last Tuesday, Iza presented a lawsuit of unconstitutionality against the environmental consultation manual issued by Noboa’s government to deepen mining.

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