Ecuador’s CONAIE and leftist organizations reject support for incumbent Daniel Noboa, urging leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez to respond to key proposals. While the Indigenous vote is divided, proposals include halting privatizations and large-scale mining, lowering sales tax, and opposing the IMF deal. Another Indigenous confederation supports Noboa but seeks discussions on Amazon policies.
On Wednesday, Ecuador’s major Indigenous organization, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), along with leftist social organizations, announced their decision not to support incumbent president Daniel Noboa in the upcoming April runoff. Instead, they are urging leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez to address a series of proposals they have presented. While some Indigenous factions lean toward supporting Noboa, CONAIE has emphasized the significance of their stance given the potential influence of their leader, Leonidas Iza, who received 5.25% of the votes in the first round of elections.
Daniel Noboa, a business heir, narrowly defeated Luisa Gonzalez in the initial voting phase by less than 1%. The impact of CONAIE’s support could be critical in the second round due to the closely contested nature of the results. Although CONAIE has criticized Noboa’s approach to security and economic issues, other Indigenous factions have opted to support him for the continuation of his term.
The proposals put forth to Gonzalez by CONAIE and allied groups include a cessation of privatizations and large-scale mining operations, as well as a reversal of Noboa’s security strategies, which they have described as a ‘war against crime gangs.’ Additionally, they seek a reduction of the sales tax from 15% back to 12%, following Noboa’s hike initiated to finance security initiatives, and they oppose Ecuador’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Conversely, the CONFENIAE, an Indigenous confederation representing groups from the Amazon region and part of CONAIE, has decided to support Noboa, emphasizing the need for dialogue regarding policies affecting the Amazon. Similarly, the political faction associated with former candidate Andrea Gonzalez, who placed fourth in the February elections with 2.69% of the vote, has also pledged its support for Noboa in this election cycle.
The Indigenous vote in Ecuador showcases a divided stance, with important implications for the presidential runoff. While major organizations like CONAIE position their support for Luisa Gonzalez contingent upon her response to key proposals, other factions lean towards continuing support for Daniel Noboa. The electoral dynamics, influenced by critical proposals related to economic policies, security strategies, and Indigenous rights, will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the upcoming election.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
