Dispute centers on ancestral Kichwa territory claimed by tourism company.
On Wednesday, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) denounced that personnel from Terra Turismo have made threats and incited aggression against Marlon Vargas, the president of the Indigenous organization.
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The incidents come amid the defense of Tzawata-Ila Chukapi, an ancestral Kichwa community located in Napo province in Ecuador’s Amazon region, a territory that has come under the scrutiny of private companies.
In early June, CONAIE had already reported the entry of heavy machinery into the area and an threat to evict the community amid a territorial dispute with Terra Turismo.
The Indigenous confederation also said these actions reflect a strategy to “divide communities, pit community members against one another, and escalate the territorial conflict.”
#ALERTA | Denunciamos nuevos ingresos de personal vinculado a Terraturismo S.A. al territorio ancestral de la comunidad Kichwa Tzawata Ila Chukapi, en #Napo.
La FOIN alerta sobre destrucción de cultivos, tala de árboles, amenazas e inseguridad para la comunidad.#CONAIE pic.twitter.com/wqlw3yZBUZ
— CONAIE (@CONAIE_Ecuador) June 30, 2026
The text reads, “We denounce the new entry of personnel linked to Terraturismo S.A. into the ancestral territory of the Kichwa Tzawata Ila Chukapi community, in Napo. The Federation of Indian Organizations of Napo warns of crop destruction, tree felling, threats and insecurity for the community.”
It also held Terra Turismo responsible for any “aggression, intimidation or act of violence that threatens the safety of Marlon Vargas, community authorities and the communities participating in this effort to defend the territory and collective rights.”
The alert issued by CONAIE came during an extraordinary regional assembly of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE).
Terra Turismo maintains that the disputed area is the company’s private property under a judicial ruling it considers “final and not subject to appeal.” It also denied ordering or promoting actions intended to attack, intimidate, or endanger Vargas.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: CONAIE – EFE
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