He wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a suit. Instead of a tie round his neck, Yaku Pérez wears a Wiphala, a multi-colored flag that symbolizes indigenous identity in the Andes. His long, black hair either hangs freely or is tied in a ponytail, although he has worn a Panama hat on the campaign trail. A long time ago he changed his given name from Carlos to Yaku, which means “water” in Quechua, although he has kept his Spanish last name.
Indigenous leader becomes surprise contender in Ecuador’s presidential election
