Special Report - Social unrest in Latin America I - Mining (ISSN 17414474)

Protests against specific mining projects in Ecuador have been taking place against the backdrop of a broader confrontation between the government of President Rafael Correa and an umbrella indigenous organisation, the Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (Conaie), which has been campaigning for new legislation that will give its member communities a greater say, including the right to veto, regarding any projects that might affect their natural resources. Conaie accuses Correa of favouring the interests of big mining firms.