[1] CONAMAQ was founded on March 22, 1997, with the purpose of restoring the self-governance of "original nations" including "collective rights to land and natural resources, re-definition of administrative units and self-determination exercised through indigenous autonomies and direct representation in state institutions.

[4] The organization's maximum governing body is its Jach'a Tantachawi, or Congress, six of which have been held so far, most recently in August 2009 in Oruro.

[citation needed] These gatherings elect a leadership which includes two pairs of men and women: the Jiliri Apu Mallku and Jiliri Mama T’alla (first male and female leaders) and Arquiri Apu Mallku and Arquiri Mama T’alla (second male and female leaders).

[citation needed] Long a close ally of the government of Evo Morales, CONAMAQ became increasingly critical of it from 2011 onwards.

[7] In 2013, several pro-government indigenous leaders, among them Hilarion Mamani Navarro (cacique mayor of Chichas, in Potosí Department) and Gregorio Choque Quispe (apu mallku of Kapaomasuyu, in La Paz department) campaigned to realign the movement with the government, demanding early elections to replace its national leaders.