"Efraín Fueres was gunned down Sunday while marching in protest against high costs of living and government crackdowns that include freezing the bank accounts of activists and suspending a media organization."

"An Indigenous land defender was shot and killed on Sunday in Cotacachi, Ecuador, where he was marching in protest of high costs of living and government crackdowns on Indigenous and environmental activists. 

Efraín Fueres, 46, a community leader, was one of thousands of Ecuadorians who have taken to the streets over the past two weeks amid a wave of authoritarian moves by the government, including freezing activists’ bank accounts and suspending a media organization. The Indigenous Kichwa federation Chijallta FICI, which Fueres belonged to, released a statement condemning his killing and attributing blame to “military bullets.” 

“Chijallta FICI denounces with deep pain and indignation the murder of our brother and respected community leader,” the statement said, calling the killing “the most painful proof that the Government has opted for war and blood instead of listening to the just demands of the people.”"

Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News September 29, 2025. [2]