In recent months, social and Indigenous protests in Ecuador have intensified, met by a heavy military presence and excessive use of force by the State. Reports indicate over 282 injured, 172 detained, 15 temporarily disappeared, and at least three deaths since demonstrations began on 21 September 2025. There are also allegations of military trucks patrolling residential areas, tear gas used near homes, internet and phone service cuts in mobilized provinces, and criminalization of human rights defenders.

At the same time, Indigenous and environmental organizations link the repression to government efforts to expand extractive industries (oil and mining) on their territories. They have sent a letter to the IMF, urging it to reconsider the structural benchmarks that push Ecuador to open its mining and hydrocarbon sectors as loan conditions.

A national referendum is also underway, which could reform the Constitution, including the recognition of the rights of nature and changes to public powers. In this context, Indigenous and environmental leaders denounce a wave of state intimidation, freezing of activists’ bank accounts, and attempts to undermine Indigenous peoples’ free, prior, and informed consent.