Will Ecuador’s illegal mining crackdown protect Indigenous people? (Reuters via Context)

QUITO - Kayaking down the Napo River in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, environmentalist Matthew Terry bemoaned how the once-lush riverbanks are now barren and full of dredges, excavating machines and bulldozers as illegal gold mining spreads across the region. In certain areas, miners have completely rerouted the river channel, while some smaller tributaries of the Napo …

Ecuador: Protesters cautiously optimistic after deal with gov’t (Al Jazeera)

QUITO, ECUADOR - Jose Pilataxi danced around a fire in the centre of the Ecuadorian capital Quito on Sunday night, celebrating with thousands of other protesters the cancelation of an austerity package that sparked violent protests across the country for 11 days and brought the economy to a standstill. "I'm very very happy for the …

Ecuador’s indigenous people are leading the anti-government protests. They have a record of ousting presidents. (Washington Post)

QUITO, ECUADOR - Juan Oshcu traveled more than six hours from his rural farm, walking and hitching rides, to reach the Ecuadoran capital. For three nights, he’s slept on wooden benches in one of the city’s cultural centers, a temporary base for the thousands of indigenous protesters who have arrived here this week. “We have …

Ecuador unrest: What led to the mass protests? (Al Jazeera)

QUITO, ECUADOR - Mass anti-government protests have paralysed Ecuadoran transportation and other services for more than a week. Protesters are angry over President Lenin Moreno's decision to cut decades-old fuel subsidies and implement tax and labour reforms. "The people, united, will never be defeated," demonstrators chanted as they briefly breached a security line and entered …

Ecuador unrest: Protests erupt for 6th day over fuel subsidy cuts (Al Jazeera)

QUITO, ECUADOR - Paralysing protests in Ecuador continued on Tuesday over a series of labour and tax reforms and President Lenin Moreno's decision to scrap decades-old fuel subsidies. Thousands of indigenous people who had been marching towards the capital, Quito, descended on the city on Tuesday. Protesters were reportedly able to briefly cross security lines …

Live News Spot. Protests in Ecuador over hike in fuel prices (TRT World)

This was a live TV spot. I spoke with Turkish television station TRT World about the national strike and protests that began October 3. Thousands of people across the country partook in these protests, angry over a series of labor and tax reforms, and the cutting of gas and diesel subsidies that saw the price …

“Mujeres de Pied” (Exhibition: Quito, Ecuador)

QUITO, ECUADOR -  I participated in this photo exhibition titled “Mujeres de Pied” (Women on Foot) at the Numismatic Museum in Quito, Ecuador, from March 8-31. Various photographers from Ecuador participated in the exhibition, which featured images of women at work as a way to celebrate women’s unique participation in the economy for International Women’s …

Ecuador’s indigenous Waorani launch petition to save the Amazon (Al Jazeera)

NEMONPARE, ECUADOR - The Amazon rainforest is not an oil block and it is not for sale, says Ecuador's Waorani community in a new petition. The indigenous community has been living in and fighting for their jungle territory for thousands of years, but they could soon see the entire region auctioned off to the highest …

A Closer Look at Brazil’s Economy (The New Internationalist)

QUITO, ECUADOR - The Brazilian economy isn’t looking great these days. The country is facing one of its most severe economic crises since the Great Depression, with unemployment at almost 12 per cent and inflation hovering around 8 per cent. The scene has caused a lot of anger, resentment and suffering across the country. But Brazilians …