From February 14 to 17, Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
(CONAIE) held an assembly in Riobabmba with members and other indigenous leaders
to develop an institutional strategy aimed at advancing the political and social
status Ecuador's indigenous peoples. Out of this meeting, CONAIE created a manifesto
highlighting their opposition towards a free trade agreement with the United
States, Plan Colombia, and water and petroleum privatization which they see as
threats to Ecuador's sovereignty and only benefiting international corporations.
