New incursion announcement has community Sarayaku on alert

Photo: Glenda Giacometti / EL COMERCIO

The Sarayaku indigenous community, located in Pastaza, is on alert following the announcement of President Rafael Correa, that there will be a new intervention in the territory, which has as refugees to Cléver Jiménez, Fernando Villavicencio and Carlos Figueroa, sentenced to prison for libel against Correa.

In its national weekly address yesterday, Correa reiterated that will enter Sarayaku again and said that if the people do not allow the actions, he will declare a state of emergency to enter.

“We cannot expose our doctors, teachers, to situations like this, where there are armed groups showing with rifles,” he said.

In response, through statement, the leadership of Sarayaku reported that they expect an operation by the security forces in which would have be provided to enter with high caliber weapons.

Leaders responsible for any violent action in the area to the government authorities.