A Pivotal Alliance: Indigenous Support for González

In a notable progress just weeks before the presidential runoff election, ecuador’s influential indigenous movement has thrown its weight behind leftist candidate Luisa González.This endorsement, announced at a large gathering in the rural town of Tixán, could significantly alter the dynamics of the race against incumbent President Daniel Noboa.

The Stakes: A Nation at a Crossroads

Ecuador faces a critical juncture. The next president will inherit a nation grappling with escalating violence fueled by drug cartels, who have targeted politicians, judicial figures, and journalists. Moreover, economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic remains a pressing concern. The World Bank, for exmaple, projects a modest growth of 2.5% for Ecuador’s economy in 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenges.

Breaking Down the Numbers: A Close Contest

The upcoming election on April 13th follows a tight first round in February.President Noboa secured a narrow victory, edging out González by a mere 0.17 percentage points – a difference of just 16,746 votes. This razor-thin margin underscores the importance of every vote and the potential impact of the indigenous movement’s endorsement.

Pachakutik’s Conditions: A Platform for Indigenous Rights

Dressed in a conventional red poncho, González formalized the alliance with the pachakutik party, the political arm of the confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie). The agreement commits González to addressing a range of demands from indigenous communities should she win the presidency.

Here, in Tixán, the story of Ecuador begins to change.
Luisa González

González,often described as the political heir of former President Rafael Correa,delivered a passionate speech to a cheering crowd in Tixán,a small town in the province of Chimborazo.

The Weight of the Indigenous Vote

Pachakutik’s backing is particularly crucial given its leader, Leonidas Iza, secured a notable 5.25% of the vote in the first round – exceeding 538,000 votes. This demonstrates the significant political power wielded by the indigenous population.

Our vote is not a blank check for anyone, nor is it a mortgage about our political project that we have raised to Ecuador.
Leonidas Iza

Iza’s statement, delivered via video conference, emphasizes the conditional nature of their support and the importance of González adhering to their political agenda.

In the future we will be ruling this country, but at this time the closest to our left -wing political project is its political proposal, estimated Luisa González.
Alex Toapanta, Pachakutik Parliamentarian

Bridging the Divide: A Reconciliation After Years of Disagreement

The alliance between González’s Citizen Revolution Movement and Pachakutik marks a reconciliation after years of strained relations.The indigenous movement had previously broken with Correa’s governance due to disagreements over various policies.

During correa’s tenure, the indigenous community organized large-scale protests against oil and mining projects championed by the president, leading to a publicly acknowledged rivalry between Correa and several indigenous leaders. This new alliance signals a potential shift in the political landscape and a willingness to overcome past differences.