During the second day of the 19th International Seminar on Struggles Against Neoliberalism, participants from various countries exchanged views on the challenges facing Latin America and the need to strengthen ties among its peoples.

  Ecuadorian indigenous leader Leonidas Iza Salazar—president of Ecuarunari and a former presidential candidate—highlighted the region’s strategic importance due to its biodiversity reserves and natural resources, as well as the importance of defending territories and ancestral knowledge.

  “On behalf of my peoples, I wish to pay my respects to the Cuban people,” said Iza, who highlighted the island’s resistance throughout more than six decades of blockade and pointed to it as an example for Latin America.

  The leader also paid tribute to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, recalling him as a symbol of struggle and resistance “in this very dark world,” while also criticizing the expansion of large-scale mining in Ecuador and its impact on indigenous peoples.

  Professor Julia Pereira Bevilaqua, of the Scientific Council of the Center for Popular Education and Economic and Social Research (Ceppes), addressed the organic crisis of capitalism and global economic and technological transformations, arguing that Latin America needs to view its natural resources as part of its own development strategy.

  Meanwhile, Catalina Tamayo of Ecuador advocated for popular education as a tool for sharing experiences and knowledge across different social sectors.

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