Leaders of peoples´ organizations regret these differences with an administration once considered a political ally, with possibilities to make changes in line with the social movements.

One of the leaders is Fredy Congo, member of FENOCIN (National Federation of Peasant, Indigenous and Black Organizations)- Via Campesina Ecuador, who was interviewed by Real World Radio during the Peoples´ Summit held in Madrid in May.

The national debate over the Water Bill has been one of the issues responsible for the tension between the government and the social movements. “We are concerned about the development of the discussion of this bill at the National Assembly and the interests of agribusiness transnational companies being represented by some of the Assembly members”, said Congo. He also said that some of these politicians are from the ruling party, Alianza Pais, and explained that they have given priority to the use of water for agribusiness, agro-industry and agro-export, above domestic consumption.

Water has been declared a right for all the Ecuadorian people by the new Constitution. “What we are defending is the constitutional principle that ensures water as a human right, and thus, at the service of all Ecuadorian people”, said Congo. Also, the leader rejected the arguments by the government that states that a group of peasant and indigenous representatives wants to manipulate and control water. He said that these accusations are part of a “campaign of defamation coming even from the government, which is being racist”. “It is a shame that this is being promoted from the government itself”, Congo said.

Congo also made reference to climate change and talked about the promotion to agrofuels in Ecuador. He said: “As FENOCIN we strongly believe that climate change is caused by the economic system, capitalism, neoliberalism, the voracity of transnational companies, disregarding the destruction of the environment and the violation of human and labour rights”.

On the current situation in Ecuador, Congo said that they are “worried about the alarming expansion of palm oil plantations in the North of Ecuador, mainly in Esmeralda province, for agrofuel production”. The representative of FENOCIN and Via Campesina made reference to the social impacts of this large-scale production. He denounced the appropriation of large extensions of land by companies, that peasants are forced to sell their lands, and the forced evictions that have been taking place with the help of paramilitary forces.

Congo said that Correa´s administration has been promoting agrofuels. “We are not receiving from the government any policy to defend small peasants, but we have been being witnesses of the openness to big transnational companies of the sector”, he added.

Congo stated that the promotion of agrofuels has serious impacts on food sovereignty, “something which is also protected by our Constitution”. In fact, he explained that food sovereignty is only possible if it comes with specific actions that must be promoted by the government, such as ensuring access to production means.

“It is necessary to strengthen the reform, the agrarian revolution, which implies the equitable distribution of lands for peasants. In Ecuador, 80 per cent of the basic shopping basket of the country is provided by peasants. However, we are the ones who receive less attention in terms of insurance, subsidies and credits”, he concluded.

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