Ecuador: Political persecution of YASunidos – Solidarity needed for ecological democracy
Ana Rodriguez
[spanish below]
Dear community,
We are sharing an urgent appeal from YASunidos, the Ecuadorian grassroots collective that made history by spearheading the first citizen‑initiated national referendum to protect the Yasuní rainforest – the most biodiverse place on Earth.
In Ecuador – the country that first granted rights to nature in its constitution in 2008 – we are facing an authoritarian, extractivist regime backed by the president of the USA.
YASunidos is not a political party. It is a citizens’ collective that defended the rights of nature and democracy. The CNE twisted rules designed for traditional parties to criminalize civic organizing. The real offense, as YASunidos states, is “organizing, questioning power, and defending collective causes.”
This is political persecution. And it follows a familiar pattern in Ecuador: frozen bank accounts, harassment of environmental defenders, and now exemplary fines against those who won a popular vote to keep oil underground in Yasuní.
On April 7, 2026, Ecuador’s Electoral Disputes Tribunal imposed USD 18,000 in fines on two of its members, to be paid within 30 days. The charge? Alleged campaign account “insufficiencies” – including a 39‑cent accounting difference, a zero‑balance account, and a missing notarized copy for a USD 100 contribution. The case had been dismissed at first instance, but after an appeal by the National Electoral Council (CNE), the Tribunal ruled against YASunidos.
YASunidos asks for our solidarity on three fronts:
Public denunciation – share their communiqué, issue open letters, or amplify their statement.
Technical support – help design safe international fundraising mechanisms (crowdfunding, direct donations) given state financial blockage.
Financial solidarity – contribute to lift the USD 18,000 burden within 30 days, so this sanction does not suffocate a grassroots, unregistered collective.
We know that the defense of nature and the defense of democratic participation are inseparable. Please read their full letter (attached below). Let us respond with solidarity.
In struggle and solidarity,
Ana Rodríguez
Versión en español
Asunto: Ecuador: Persecución política a YASunidos – Solidaridad urgente para la democracia ecológica radical
Querida comunidad de Radical Ecological Democracy,
Compartimos un llamado urgente de YASunidos, el colectivo ecuatoriano de base que hizo historia al impulsar la primera consulta popular nacional ciudadana para proteger la selva del Yasuní – el lugar con mayor biodiversidad del planeta.
In Ecuador – the country that first granted rights to nature in its constitution in 2008 – we are facing an authoritarian, extractivist regime backed by the president of the USA.
El 7 de abril de 2026, el Tribunal Contencioso Electoral de Ecuador impuso multas por USD 18,000 a dos de sus integrantes, con 30 días para pagarlas. ¿El motivo? Supuestas “insuficiencias” en la presentación de cuentas de campaña – incluyendo una diferencia contable de 39 centavos, una cuenta bancaria con saldo cero y la falta de una copia notariada por un aporte de USD 100. El caso había sido archivado en primera instancia, pero tras un recurso del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE), el Tribunal falló en contra de YASunidos.
YASunidos no es un partido político. Es un colectivo ciudadano que defendió los derechos de la naturaleza y la democracia. El CNE torció normas diseñadas para partidos tradicionales para criminalizar la organización ciudadana. La verdadera falta, como dice YASunidos, es “organizar, cuestionar al poder y defender causas colectivas”.
Esto es persecución política. Y sigue un patrón conocido en Ecuador: cuentas bancarias congeladas, acoso a defensores ambientales, y ahora multas ejemplares contra quienes ganaron una votación popular para mantener el petróleo bajo tierra en el Yasuní.
YASunidos nos pide solidaridad en tres frentes:
Denuncia pública – compartir su comunicado, emitir cartas abiertas o amplificar su mensaje.
Apoyo técnico – ayudar a diseñar mecanismos seguros de recaudación internacional (crowdfunding, donaciones directas) ante el bloqueo financiero estatal.
Solidaridad financiera – contribuir a levantar la carga de USD 18,000 en 30 días, para que esta sanción no asfixie a un colectivo de base sin personería jurídica.
Sabemos que la defensa de la naturaleza y la defensa de la participación democrática son inseparables. Por favor, lean su carta completa (adjunta).
En lucha y solidaridad,
Helena Paul
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<YASunidos - ESP.pdf><YASunidos - ENG.pdf>