Ecuador's indigenous group says government talks on hold due to 'persecution'

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's indigenous movement said on Wednesday that it paused talks with President Lenin Moreno because of the government's "persecution" of the group's leaders since a halt to violent anti-austerity protests.

Jaime Vargas, head of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, or CONAIE, said the group had entered the talks "in good faith," but an atmosphere of trust did not exist. "We cannot be at the table while they are pursuing us," Vargas told reporters.