González gets Pachakutik endorsement but some indigenous call Correista alliance a ‘betrayal’

Citizens Revolution presidential candidate Luisa González received the official endorsement of Pachakutik, the political party of the indigenous movement, on Sunday. At a ceremony in Tixán, in Chimborazo Province, González accepted more than 20 demands of Pachakutik and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie).

Presidential candidate Luisa González signs the agreement with Pachakutik on Sunday.

Among the conditions González accepted are a moratorium on mining projects, the right of local communities to approve major government projects, reparations for crimes committed during social protests, maintaining fuel subsidies and respecting indigenous territorial autonomy.

González also agreed to “differentiate” himself from the “extractivist policies” of Citizens Revolution founder Rafael Correa and to reject Correa’s attacks on indigenous protesters when he was president.

Although he did not attend the signing ceremony, Conaie President Leonidas Iza said the indigenous movement “totally opposes the neoliberal policies” of President Daniel Noboa. “The indigenous people are anti-capitalist, anti-neoliberal and anti-racist and we will never support the economic elites who are looting the country,” he said.

In her comments at the signing, González said the agreement was one that recognizes the rights and independence of all Ecuadorians, not just the indigenous people. “I am simply reaffirming my support of a common project of welfare, social justice and defense of many social sectors,” she said.

Not all indigenous leaders agreed with Iza and some expressed “outrage” at an agreement with the Correista movement.

Fernando Guamán, president of the Confederation of the Indigenous Movement of Chimborazo (Comich), called the Pachakutik-Correista agreement a “betrayal” and said many indigenous people will not support González.

“It causes me great indignation that after 10 years of resistance to Correismo, against their racist government and racist polices, we are surrendering our historic struggle for the selfish interests of politicians,” he said. He added that Comich will never support the alliance.

Another critic of the agreement was Jorge Herrera, former president of the Cotopaxi Indigenous and Peasant Movement. “It is crazy for us to have an alliance with the Correistas,” he said. “Don’t we remember Correa’s betrayals and lies? Don’t we remember Yasuni? Don’t we remember that he ordered his police to beat in the heads of our indigenous brothers?”

Before the agreement was signed, Herrera said, “Just wait and see. Luisa will show up in a red poncho, this is how phony they are.” At Sunday’s signing in Tixán,, González was wearing a red poncho.

In a radio interview Sunday night, Iza admitted disagreement among the indigenous communities. “I understand that are bad feeling toward the Correistas from past events and I respect this,” he said. “This is not a perfect arrangement, but it is the best option we have at the moment.”

He added that a majority of the indigenous population will support González. “I predict that at least 60% of my votes will go to González.”