The Ecuadorian government raised the residential electricity rate 1.5 percent last Friday, drawing statements of strong opposition from indigenous leaders. The Confederation of Indigenous Nations of Ecuador, a powerful Indian activist organization, announced a two-day meeting starting February 17 to define its position on the policies of the recently inaugurated President Gutierrez. The organization is worried that Gutierrez is reneging on his campaign pledges to not implement economic measures like fuel, utility, or transit fare hikes to balance the budget. Other indigenous movements that backed Gutierrez during his campaign are also concerned about the International Monetary Fund Agreement that was sealed on February 1, which also goes marks a change from Gutierrez’s positions before the election.
