Ecuador held presidential elections amid profound crises, with a runoff slated for April 13, potentially shaping the Amazon’s future. Both candidates, Noboa and González, support extractivism and diminish Indigenous rights. Leonidas Iza’s Indigenous movement, securing 5.24% of votes, may impact future governance amidst rising violence and ongoing socio-environmental challenges.
Ecuador recently held presidential elections amid a severe political, economic, and social crisis, with another runoff scheduled for April 13 that may significantly influence the Amazon’s ecological future. Both candidates, President Daniel Noboa and opposition leader Luisa González, have shown support for ongoing extractivist policies, undermining Indigenous rights, and fostering an environment of political repression against dissenters.
President Noboa, elected with 44.6% of the vote, has overseen a term characterized by extreme militarization, an acute energy crisis, and significant human rights abuses. Conversely, González, representing a leftist movement associated with former President Rafael Correa and who received 44.02% of the vote, also promoted social policies but has a history of deepening extractivism and corruption.
The Indigenous movement led by Leonidas Iza, which garnered 5.24% of the votes, is poised to play a crucial role in the impending election, particularly in opposing extractivism and the ongoing violence faced by communities. As the fight persists to halt oil drilling in the Amazon, these organizations aim to pave the way for climate justice in Ecuador despite rising state violence.
Noboa’s presidency, which began amid an extraordinary election to evade impeachment for corruption, has seen violence surge, making Ecuador one of the most dangerous Latin American nations. His government’s response involved militarizing the nation, implementing a security strategy called Plan Fénix, which significantly increased military presence and spending without effectively reducing crime rates.
Notably, human rights violations have intensified, evidenced by forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, raising alarm over state repression. The energy crisis, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and severe drought, has led to extensive blackouts, further destabilizing the economy and hampering societal wellbeing.
Noboa has strengthened ties with the United States for security and trade, even proposing constitutional reforms that could erode Indigenous rights, thereby refining the government’s power and control over extractive projects. This troubling trajectory coincides with negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Canada, promising foreign mining investments, which may deepen socio-environmental conflicts.
Luisa González’s candidacy reflects the enduring influence of Correísmo, characterized by public investment and state control but marred by a reliance on extractivism and corruption. Although the movement initially engaged with social and environmental demands, its legacy faces scrutiny for stifling dissent and favoring extractive practices detrimental to Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous movement, despite its limited representation in the election, is historically instrumental during political upheavals, potentially influencing the next government’s direction. The movement must determine its approach to candidates supportive of extractivism while confronting formidable challenges from organized crime and ongoing environmental degradation.
Ultimately, the Indigenous movement will have to decide whether to support one of the candidates under specific conditions, maintain neutrality, or advocate for a null vote to express dissatisfaction with the prevailing political structure. Regardless, their mobilization capacity positions them as a transformative force in Ecuador’s electoral dynamics and future Amazonian policies.
The upcoming runoff election in Ecuador will significantly impact the region’s ecological and social landscape, with both major candidates supporting extractivism and undermining Indigenous rights. The Indigenous movement, led by Leonidas Iza, stands as a crucial factor in determining the election outcome and poses a challenge to the prevailing political model. As the landscape of governance continues to evolve, the fight for environmental justice and Indigenous rights remains at the forefront.
Original Source: amazonwatch.org
