CONAIE will not support Daniel Noboa in the April runoff and has asked Luisa Gonzalez to respond to specific proposals regarding economic policies and Indigenous rights amidst a divided Indigenous voting bloc.
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) has announced that it will not support current president Daniel Noboa in the upcoming April runoff election. Instead, they are seeking a response from leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez regarding a series of proposals. The Indigenous voting bloc appears to be fragmented, with some factions expressing support for Noboa.
Noboa, who narrowly defeated Gonzalez in the February first round by less than 1%, faces scrutiny from CONAIE. Leonidas Iza, CONAIE’s leader, has the potential to sway the election outcome, especially after receiving 5.25% of the vote. Despite criticisms towards Noboa regarding security and economic policies, some Indigenous groups are endorsing his bid for a complete term.
CONAIE and its allied organizations have outlined several proposals for Gonzalez, which include a cessation of privatizations and large mining projects, as well as the repeal of Noboa’s declaration of war against crime gangs. They also demand a reduction in the sales tax back to 12%, opposing Noboa’s recent increase to fund security measures, along with rejecting the country’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
In contrast, the CONFENIAE, representing Amazonian Indigenous groups and a part of CONAIE, has pledged its support for Noboa, provided he engages in discussions regarding Amazonian policies. Additionally, Andrea Gonzalez’s party, which garnered 2.69% of the votes, has also decided to support Noboa in the election.
In summary, the CONAIE organization is seeking commitments from Luisa Gonzalez as they refuse to support Daniel Noboa in the upcoming election. The current Indigenous vote appears divided, with some factions supporting Noboa. The proposals outlined by CONAIE indicate significant concerns regarding economic policies and Indigenous rights, while other groups have opted to align with the president. This complex political landscape will play a crucial role in the upcoming runoff election.
Original Source: gazette.com
