In Ecuador’s highlands, the Indigenous community of Cochapamba grapples with choosing between presidential candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa González in an upcoming run-off election scheduled for April 13. The residents, who predominantly supported Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, have expressed feelings of distrust toward both candidates, exacerbated by their previous political behaviors. Ninety-seven percent of Cochapamba residents echoed sentiments of skepticism and disappointment, hoping their voices will not be forgotten after the elections.
In the Ecuadorian highlands, the Indigenous community of Cochapamba finds itself in a challenging situation as two presidential candidates, who did not campaign locally, prepare for the April 13 run-off election. Community members hold affection for Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who finished third in the previous election, yet must now choose between President Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González.
Cochapamba, located over 3,600 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level and consisting of approximately 6,000 Indigenous inhabitants, primarily engages in the cultivation and sale of white onions while conversing in Kichwa and Spanish. Despite their loyalty to Iza, the community is now observing how their voting patterns may shift in favor of either Noboa or González, who previously competed in the 2023 snap election following the dissolution of the National Assembly.
In the Sunday elections, preliminary figures indicated that in Cotopaxi Province, Noboa garnered 37.6% of votes while Iza received 29.3%, and González, with limited political experience, trailed closely behind with 27.7%. Remarkably, over 72% of Cochapamba voters previously favored Noboa, signaling a complicated relationship with the candidates, none of whom they have met personally.
Fernando Perdomo, a member of the Decentralized Autonomous Government, expressed disappointment in President Noboa’s leadership, stating, “We thought (Noboa) was a young man who was really going to make a difference, but up to this point, at least for me, he has lied.” Likewise, locals exhibit skepticism towards González due to her connections to former President Rafael Correa, who they believe disregarded Indigenous rights.
The prevailing atmosphere in Cochapamba is characterized by distrust among the residents. Gloria Llugsha, a young mother, reflected on this sentiment by stating, “I’d be deeply disappointed if all the candidates’ promises were forgotten,” believing that political leaders only engage with the populace when seeking support as elections approach.
The residents of Cochapamba are faced with an uncertain choice between President Noboa and Luisa González in the upcoming run-off election, having not formed any trusting ties with either candidate. The community’s historical devotion to Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza presents a challenge, as they gather to determine their political stance moving forward amidst a climate of distrust and disappointment regarding their potential leaders.
Original Source: www.local10.com
