In Ecuador’s mountainous region, an Indigenous group is confronted with a decision between two untrusted candidates.

COCHAPAMBA, Ecuador — In a remote Indigenous community nestled in the Ecuadorian highlands, the two candidates competing for the presidency in the upcoming run-off election have not made their presence known in the area. The faces of President Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González are absent from the streets of Cochapamba, yet these small towns throughout the Andean nation will play a crucial role in the election scheduled for April 13, determining who will serve a complete four-year term.

Residents here are dedicated supporters of Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, who participated in Sunday’s election but ended up in a distant third place, capturing around 500,000 votes. In the decisive April run-off, community members will need to choose between Noboa and González following Iza’s exit from the race.

This run-off mirrors the earlier snap election of 2023, which was necessitated by the dissolution of the National Assembly. Noboa, who is a wealthy businessman, secured a truncated 16-month presidency after running a campaign focused on addressing Ecuador’s recent surge in crime.

The altitude of Cochapamba is approximately 3,600 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level and boasts a population of about 6,000 people. The locals primarily engage in cultivating and selling white onions and predominantly communicate in Kichwa and Spanish.

Last Sunday, community members made their way to the polling stations, some walking for as long as two hours to cast their ballots.

Although detailed results from the National Electoral Council have not yet been disclosed at a local level, initial tallies indicate that in the latest vote within Cotopaxi province—where Cochapamba is situated—37.6% supported Noboa, while Iza received 29.3% and González trailed with 27.7%. In the previous round in 2023, more than 72% of Cochapamba voters showed preference for Noboa, despite the fact that they have not encountered him in person.

“We believed he was a young man who would really bring about change, but so far, he has let us down,” commented Fernando Perdomo, a 46-year-old member of the local Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD).

On the other hand, González, who has limited political experience, evokes suspicion among locals because she is associated with former President Rafael Correa. Correa, who held office from 2007 to 2017, became increasingly authoritarian towards the end of his presidency and was sentenced to prison in absentia in 2020 for corruption.

Perdomo noted, “Correa showed disdain for Indigenous people,” highlighting the community’s hesitance to support a candidate linked to a controversial administration. The local community is now awaiting guidance from the Indigenous confederation’s leadership to inform their voting decisions for the impending runoff.

Overall, the atmosphere in Cochapamba is one of skepticism and disillusionment.

“I’d be immensely disappointed if all the candidates’ pledges were to be forgotten,” stated Gloria Llugsha, a 28-year-old mother of two. She expressed her view that politicians only remember the needs of the people during campaigns, when their support is essential.