With the participation of its national leadership, the Ecuadorian Federation of Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics (FEDESOMEC) celebrated 65 years of organizing, struggle, and defense of workers’ rights. The commemorative activities began on 10 July in Quito, with a national workshop on politics and trade unions held on 11 July, which included BWI’s international agenda and brought together 50 national trade union leaders, special guests, and prominent figures from Ecuador’s national political life.

FEDESOMEC, which brings together trade unions representing heavy machinery operators, is chaired by Hoover Delgado, who also serves as Vice-President of the Regional Committee of the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) for Latin America and the Caribbean, representing Country Group 25, which includes organizations from countries in the Andean Zone. The commemoration was attended by Congresswoman Gabriela Rivadeneira Burbano and BWI Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Nilton Freitas, who highlighted FEDESOMEC’s history and its political and trade union relevance in Ecuador’s recent history.

During her remarks, Congresswoman Gabriela Rivadeneira highlighted the role played by the trade union organization and its presence “on the front line of democratic resistance against growing authoritarianism.” The legislator, who at one time was the youngest President of Ecuador’s National Assembly, also stressed the importance of trade union organizations in defending democracy and workers’ rights.

For his part, BWI Regional Representative Nilton Freitas warned about the complex political and trade union situation facing Latin America and the Caribbean, in a context marked by the rise of far-right governments and movements and by growing threats to trade union and social rights. He identified among these threats the persecution and murder of trade union leaders, the financial strangulation of trade union organizations, and the use of “lawfare,” or the judicialization of politics, as well as judicial mechanisms to persecute trade unionists, social leaders, environmental defenders, and representatives of Indigenous peoples.

Freitas also drew attention to the increase in femicides in the region, describing it as a serious expression of the persistence of misogyny and machismo. In this regard, he stressed the need to defend gender equality policies, women’s rights, and the economic autonomy of women workers.

Against this backdrop, FEDESOMEC President Hoover Delgado called on the Federation’s grassroots members to continue organizing workers and strengthening trade unions, their Federation, and BWI itself as fundamental instruments for the defense of labor rights, democracy, and social justice.

As part of the commemorative activities, FEDESOMEC’s national leadership also held a meeting in which it reaffirmed its commitment to international trade union action and confirmed its participation in the 6th BWI World Congress, to be held in São Paulo, Brazil, from 16 to 20 November 2026.

FEDESOMEC’s 65th anniversary represents an opportunity to recognize the history and struggles of generations of Ecuadorian workers; it is also an opportunity to renew the commitment of the organization representing heavy machinery operators to strengthening trade unions, international solidarity, and the defense of labor and democratic rights.