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Ecuador Indigenous Group Puts Government Talks on Hold

Reuters

   QUITO, ECUADOR - QUITO - Ecuador's indigenous movement said Wednesday
   that it paused talks with President Lenin Moreno because of the
   government's "persecution" of the group's leaders since a halt to
   violent anti-austerity protests.

   Jaime Vargas, head of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of
   Ecuador (CONAIE) said the group had entered the talks "in good faith,"
   but an atmosphere of trust did not exist.

   "We cannot be at the table while they are pursuing us," Vargas told
   reporters.

   Ecuador's state prosecutors' office Tuesday opened an investigation
   into Vargas for allegedly promoting "subversive groups" after he had
   told supporters at a rally Saturday that CONAIE would create its "own
   army."

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