During a discussion with media held in Guaranda, President Rafael Correa said he was open to dialogue with indigenous movements. However, he considered that it is difficult (to dialogue) with certain indigenous leaders like Marco Murillo, who in the last elections of February 23, was prefect candidate of Chimborazo for SUMA movement.
He added that the president of Ecuarunari, Carlos Perez, is not indigenous. “He can not speak Quechua, he is a mestizo.” He added that there has been a “historical myopia” in Conaie and its bases are on the side of the opposition, which is why “they support the conspirators.”
Correa said he regrets to see the wiphala (Andean cultural emblem) among the “usual rioters.” He also stressed that the greatest reduction of poverty in the country is in the indigenous world so he considers as anti-natural for them to be against the citizen’s revolution. “As long as there are extremist people, it will be hard to create a formal alliance with Pachakutik and Conaie. There should be a leader renewal on certain indigenous movements,” he said.
