CONAIE and leftist organizations in Ecuador reject President Daniel Noboa’s support, urging Luisa Gonzalez to respond to their proposals. The Indigenous vote is divided, with some groups supporting Noboa. Key proposals include halting privatizations and lowering sales tax. Meanwhile, other Indigenous factions have expressed their backing for Noboa, illustrating the complex electoral dynamics.
On Wednesday, the prominent Ecuadorian Indigenous organization, CONAIE, alongside leftist social groups, announced they will not support the current president, Daniel Noboa, in the upcoming April runoff election. Instead, they have urged leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez to address a series of proposals put forth by these organizations. The Indigenous vote appears fragmented, with some factions still endorsing Noboa.
Daniel Noboa, a 37-year-old businessman, narrowly defeated Luisa Gonzalez, a former ally of ex-President Rafael Correa, by less than one percent in the initial round of voting held in February. This razor-thin margin positions CONAIE’s leader, Leonidas Iza, who gained 5.25% of the vote, as a significant player in determining the outcome of the second round election.
Although CONAIE has criticized Noboa’s strategies regarding security and economic measures, some Indigenous and social entities have expressed their support for Noboa, who is completing a term begun by his predecessor. CONAIE, along with its allied groups, has proposed several key demands to Gonzalez, including a cessation of privatizations and large-scale mining, as well as the repeal of Noboa’s war declaration against crime groups.
Additional requests from these organizations include a reduction of the sales tax back to 12%, previously increased to 15% by Noboa to finance security initiatives, and a rejection of Ecuador’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Conversely, the CONFENIAE, representing Indigenous coalitions from the Amazon and part of CONAIE, has indicated its support for Noboa but demands a discussion regarding policies affecting the Amazon region.
Furthermore, Andrea Gonzalez’s party, which placed fourth in the February voting with 2.69%, has also declared its intention to support Noboa in the upcoming election.
The Ecuadorian election landscape illustrates significant divides among Indigenous groups regarding support for presidential candidates. While CONAIE and allied social organizations reject incumbent Daniel Noboa, favoring Luisa Gonzalez, other factions maintain their support for Noboa. Key proposals have been presented to Gonzalez focusing on socioeconomic reforms, highlighting the complexity and importance of Indigenous perspectives in the electoral process.
Original Source: www.thestar.com.my
