Ecuador: Peasant lands occupied in La Tranca, province of Los Ríos

On May 18, armed civilians and military together with persons claiming to be the owners of the estate San Vicente violently occupied the lands of 57 peasants organized in the Association of Agricultural Workers “La Tranca”. Since then, armed guards have been preventing the entry of the peasants to the estate and to the paddy crops which they had planted.

In this situation it is very urgent to ask the Ecuadorian authorities to protect the peasants’ right to food immediately. Please send letters to the Ministries of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior. Mark a copy of your letter to Human Rights Commission of the Diocese.