Ecuador’s February 9 presidential elections resulted in President Daniel Noboa and Luisa González advancing to an April 13 runoff, both fostering extractivism amid significant crises. The Indigenous movement, led by Leonidas Iza, holds potential sway in these elections. Critical human rights abuses and environmental concerns have intensified under Noboa’s administration, foregrounding the importance of the upcoming election on the future of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
On February 9, Ecuador conducted presidential elections amidst significant political, economic, security, and social crises. A pivotal runoff election is set for April 13, with potential ramifications for the Ecuadorian Amazon’s future. Both incumbent President Daniel Noboa and opposition candidate Luisa González support continued extractivism and oil drilling, raising concerns over Indigenous governance and political repression.
President Noboa secured 44.6% of the vote during his term characterized by heightened militarization, an energy crisis, and human rights violations. González, backed by former President Rafael Correa’s political movement and obtaining 44.02% of the vote, aims to expand social policies but faces allegations of corruption and extractivist practices.
The Indigenous movement, led by Leonidas Iza, emerged as an influential force with 5.24% of the vote. Iza has opposed extractivism and right-wing governmental policies. Amid ongoing state violence and the failure to implement the Yasuní referendum, Indigenous organizing is set to intensify to advocate for climate justice and an end to crude oil extraction.
Noboa took office on November 23, 2023, following an extraordinary election initiated to avert an impeachment trial against former President Guillermo Lasso. He responded to an unprecedented security crisis by implementing military-focused strategies that included the controversial Plan Fénix, aimed at bolstering security through increased military and emergency measures.
Despite these security efforts, the homicide rate surged, with January 2025 witnessing a record 731 murders. Human rights abuses have escalated, highlighted by cases of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, including the tragic incineration of four Afro-descendant children following military detention.
Noboa’s administration faces criticism for perpetuating violence and human rights violations, as documented by the Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, which reported significant forced disappearances in 2024. This, compounded by an energy crisis leading to prolonged blackouts, critically impacted the economy.
Following his alignment with the United States for security and trade, Noboa’s proposed constitutional reforms threaten Indigenous rights by potentially eliminating consultation rights and increasing the vulnerability of Indigenous territories to extractive projects, coinciding with upcoming Free Trade Agreements with Canada.
Alongside these measures, illegal gold mining has surged, posing enormous risks to Indigenous lands and resulting in heightened violence and criminal activity. Proceeds from drug trafficking are being diverted into gold extraction, intensifying territorial struggles and boosting organized crime’s presence in the Amazon region.
Luisa González’s candidacy signals a continuation of the Correísmo movement, which previously governed with a model focused on public investment and social service expansion between 2007 and 2017. However, this government faced criticism for its reliance on extractive practices and for marginalizing dissenting voices.
The Indigenous movement, despite a minor electoral representation, could sway the upcoming elections due to its historical significance in political mobilization and resistance. This force remains crucial as both candidates’ commitments to extractivism pose challenges to Indigenous rights and governance in Ecuador.
As the Indigenous movement considers its position in the impending runoff, their strategy will be vital. They may adopt neutrality, conditionally support one of the candidates, or advocate for a null vote, each decision carrying profound implications for the future governance and ecological stewardship of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
In conclusion, the upcoming runoff election in Ecuador bears significant implications for the Amazon and Indigenous rights amidst a backdrop of ongoing crises. Both candidates perpetuate extractivist policies, prompting the Indigenous movement to navigate its stance carefully. The election outcome may highly influence the trajectory of environmental justice and governance in the region, making the Indigenous movement a pivotal factor in shaping Ecuador’s future policies.
Original Source: amazonwatch.org
