Ecuador: President Correa Faces Pressure From Indigenous Groups

More at Global Voices Online: “Despite protests and road blockades in southen Ecuador, a new mining law [es] (pdf format) was passed in Congress. Now the new bill will head to the executive branch for final approval from President Rafael Correa. Opposition to the bill is coming from indigenous groups, who have called for a national march to be held on January 20 to protest the government's support for the new law.

The mobilization is being led by the country's largest indigenous organization, the National Confederation of Indigenous Nations (CONAIE), which is stating that there was very little discussion regarding the new law and that it will be harmful to the environment and is going against the sovereignty of indigenous communities. ”

-- And this from the President who claims to be protecting indigeneous groups, as in the Chevron case, while letting Ecuadorian companies take advantage of them. The key need is for that country to improve its economic development practices.