Indigenous protesters chase off police in Ecuador town

Indigenous protesters wielding spears in southeastern Ecuador have sent police and soldiers fleeing in a clash that Interior Minister Jose Serrano says injured eight security force members.

The estimated 200 Shuar and Achuar peoples who chased off police and soldiers in the Amazon town of Macas on Wednesday are upset with President Rafael Correa’s refusal to consult them on mining and oil drilling on their traditional lands.

Hundreds of protesters also marched Wednesday against Correa in Quito.

Isolated protests have persisted since a diverse coalition of anti-Correa forces called a general strike Aug. 13. Key among their demands is that legislation be withdrawn that would allow Correa indefinite re-election.

Protest leaders say 105 from their ranks have been arrested and 35 injured, while authorities say 100 police have been hurt.