Leonidas Iza ousted as Conaie chief; Construction of Monay interchange to begin in August; Russian expat deported; IMF approves $1 billion loan increase
In what is being called a “shocking outcome,” Marlon Vargas was elected president of Congress of the Confederation of
Indigenous Nationalities (Conaie), defeating incumbent Leonidas Iza. Vargas, with strong support from the Amazon region delegates, received 617 votes to Iza’s 540.
“This is something we did not expect,” a voter from the Napo Kichwa Federation said of the result. “It was believed that Iza was unbeatable, but this election proves otherwise. Many of us believed it was time for a change and that’s why we chose Marlon,” he said, asking that his name be withheld. “This is certainly a shocking outcome.”
Construction of the Monay overpass and feeder lanes on the Cuenca-Azogues autopista will be completed in 24 months.
The voter added that Iza had become a “divisive personality” within the indigenous movement. “We need leadership that can be forceful for indigenous rights but is also able to work with the government to find solutions. We cannot continue to fight battles we cannot win.”
On Saturday, Conaie delegates voted to expel six Pachakutik National Assembly members who have supported the proposals of President Daniel Noboa and his National Democratic Action party. The expulsion of Cecilia Baltazar, Carmen Tiupul, Manuel Choro, Fernando Nantipia, José Luis Nango and Edmundo Cerda leaves Pachakutik, the political party of Conaie, with only four Assembly members.
The vote to expel the members followed heated debate in which some delegates argued that Pachakutik should allow a diversity of opinions.
Construction of Monay interchange to begin in August
The construction of the Monay interchange to replace the autopista round-about at the IESS hospital should begin in August. According to the Transportation Ministry, the contract was signed last week and the contractor will soon begin moving heavy equipment to the work site.
The ministry says the 24-month project is being divided into two phases to reduce the impact on traffic. Paolo Carpio, ministry undersecretary, said the first phase will improve the Azogues-Cuenca traffic lanes and add feeder lanes and will last between 12 and 13 months. The second phase will see construction of the overpass.
Russian expat deported
The National Police report that a foreign resident living in Cuenca has been deported to Russia. Shusharin A. was deported July 14 based on an Interpol arrest warrant. “The defendant, a Russian citizen, received illegal compensation for expenses of purchasing body prostheses through the Social Security and Retirement Fund of the Russian Federation,” according to the Interpol arrest warrant.
Shusharin A., who had lived in Cuenca for about two years, was arrested in April and had remained in custody pending deportation proceedings.
His attorney argued against deportation, claiming Shusharin A., faces threats to his life in Russia.
IMF approves $1 billion loan increase
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Friday it has completed its second review of Ecuador’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approved a $1 billion increase to the program.
The decision allows Ecuador to immediately access $600 million, the IMF said in a statement. The loan increase raises the total value of the IMF disbursement from $4 billion to $5 billion.
“Despite challenging circumstances, Ecuadorian authorities have successfully mobilized non-oil revenues, strengthened fiscal and external buffers, and cleared domestic arrears while protecting vulnerable groups,” said IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Economy welcomed the IMF’s decision, calling it a recognition of government efforts to address a range of ongoing challenges, including rising insecurity and a prolonged drought.
