Ecuador’s Indigenous Community in Cochapamba Faces Distrust in Presidential Candidates

In the Ecuadorian highlands, the Indigenous community in Cochapamba must choose between President Daniel Noboa and lawyer Luisa González, neither of whom they trust. The election on April 13 follows previous disappointment with Noboa and distrust of González due to her ties to a former president. Community sentiments reveal disappointment with political promises, indicating a critical moment for Indigenous representation in Ecuador’s politics.

In Ecuador’s highlands, the Indigenous community of Cochapamba faces a challenging decision between two presidential candidates they do not trust. Neither President Daniel Noboa nor leftist lawyer Luisa González campaigned in this remote area, yet their prospects in the upcoming election hinge on the votes from small towns like Cochapamba. The election on April 13 promises to shape Ecuador for the next four years, following a previous snap election that resulted from the National Assembly’s dissolution.

Cochapamba is situated at an altitude of over 3,600 meters (12,000 feet) and is home to approximately 6,000 Indigenous residents who primarily cultivate and sell white onions. The community speaks both Kichwa and Spanish. Recent voting indicated that in the Cotopaxi province, which encompasses Cochapamba, 37.6% supported Noboa, while only 27.7% backed González, and 29.3% voted for the Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who finished third in a previous election.

Many residents of Cochapamba walked great distances to cast their votes in the last election. Despite their willingness to participate, this community feels disconnection from the candidates. A local government member, Fernando Perdomo, expressed disappointment in Noboa, 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.”

As for Ms. González, local distrust stems from her association with former President Rafael Correa, who ruled from 2007 to 2017 and faced allegations of authoritarianism. Perdomo noted that Correa had “disdained Indigenous people.” The local community currently awaits guidance from their Indigenous leadership to determine their preferred candidate for the electoral runoff.

Overall, the sentiment in Cochapamba is one of skepticism and letdown. Gloria Llugsha, a local mother, poignantly articulated this disappointment, stating, “I’d be deeply disappointed if all the candidates’ promises were forgotten.” She reflected a common belief that politicians often only appeal to the populace during election cycles when they seek support.

The Indigenous community of Cochapamba is facing significant uncertainty as they prepare for Ecuador’s presidential runoff. Distrust in both candidates—President Noboa and lawyer González—underscores a deeper disillusionment with the political process. The community awaits direction from Indigenous leaders, reflecting a broader concern about whether the incoming president will address their needs or forget them once in office.

Original Source: www.local10.com