In a video posted on social media, Vargas stated that the initiative is “a danger to the country” and warned that it reduces prior consultation, replaces environmental licenses with simple authorizations, and facilitates long-term concessions for large companies.

The indigenous leader pointed out that, in a country where rivers are already contaminated with mercury and cyanide, approving the legislation would weaken the State’s capacity to protect nature.

“When controls are relaxed, conflict, criminalization, and the militarization of territories increase,” he warned.

Vargas also stated that the project violates collective rights and the rights of nature recognized in the Ecuadorian Constitution, and maintained that CONAIE will defend “the water we all drink, the lives of our communities, and compliance with the Constitution.”

“This law must be shelved,” he emphasized, while calling for unity to protect water, life, and territories.

Earlier this month, CONAIE had already warned about the social and environmental risks of the officially named Organic Law Project for the Strengthening of the Strategic Sectors of Mining and Energy, submitted by the Executive Branch to the National Assembly with urgent economic status.

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