Police officers and soldiers tried to control protests in Saraguro, Ecuador, on August 17, 2015. The protests continued and led to another clash on Wednesday. Photo by Karlos Andrade via CONAIE
Indigenous marchers clashed with police officers and soldiers in Ecuador on Wednesday amid nationwide protests against President Rafael Correa. The clash occurred in the Southeastern province of Morona Santiago, according to news reports. Members of the Shuar and Achuar chased away officers and soldiers with spears in protest of the government's energy and transportation policies. Rallies have occurred three days in a row there, teleSUR reported. A separate protest also took place yesterday in El Quito, Ecuador's capital. An estimated 10,000 people filled the streets at the urging of Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, the largest indigenous group in the country. Among other concerns, CONAIE is upset with Correa's attempt to open an indigenous reserve to oil drilling, The Los Angeles Times reported. Protests last week drew upwards of 100,000 across the nation, the paper said, citing other news reports. Other groups are also protesting Correa's constitutional amendment proposals, drawing even more people to the streets. People with indigenous ancestry represent about 71 percent of population in Ecuador. Correa does not claim Native heritage but worked as a teacher in a Catholic mission in a Quechua community and learned some of the language. Get the Story:
Indigenous protesters chase off police in Ecuador town (AP 8/19)
Ecuador: Opposition Unions Call for National Strike (teleSUR 8/19)
Ecuador: Workers Reject 'Strike' As Opposition Vows More Action (teleSUR 8/19)
Ecuador president's bid for fourth term faces growing opposition (The Los Angeles Times 8/20)
Amazonian Indians wielding spears in Ecuador send police and soldiers fleeing in clashes over 'stealing' land for mining (The Daily Mail 8/20)
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