Ecuadorian Indigenous leader released from jail

By Laura Gamba ​​​​​​​

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Ecuadorian Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who is accused of being responsible for the paralyzing of roads during nationwide anti-government protests, was released from police custody Wednesday, a day after being arrested.

The Prosecutor's Office confirmed a judge’s decision on Twitter saying that Iza was given alternative measures to prison such as appearing periodically before the Prosecutor’s Office for "allegedly paralyzing a public transport service," an offense punishable by up to three years in prison in Ecuador.

Wednesday marked the third day of protests in the country, which has been plagued by rising inflation and inequality. Roadblocks by protesters continue in at least 11 of Ecuador’s 24 provinces with demonstrators presenting a number of demands to President Guillermo Lasso, including to lower fuel prices and set minimum prices for agricultural products, reverse the privatization of public services and to stop extending oil and mining projects.

Iza, the president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), was arrested Tuesday in Pastocalle village in Cotopaxi province. CONAIE condemned his arrest as "illegal" and called for demonstrations in response, which led to clashes between police and protesters who were calling for his release.

"No one has come out to defy the law. We have only come out because hunger and injustice have taken over our homes," said Iza after leaving prison.

In Ecuador, Indigenous people account for more than a million of the country’s roughly 18 million people. In 2019, riot police faced many Indigenous groups that were protesting against President Lenin Moreno's austerity measures, forcing him to withdraw his plans to raise fuel prices.

President Lasso said that authorities will not allow “political groups to destabilize Ecuador, profit from the chaos and paralyze the country.”

Indigenous leaders warned that the protests will continue until Lasso gives in to their demands.