Overview
- Ecuadorians head to the polls on Sunday, facing a choice between incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa González in a closely watched election.
- Noboa's administration has focused on militarized crackdowns against powerful drug cartels, but critics argue these measures have failed to reduce violence significantly.
- González, a protégé of former President Rafael Correa, advocates for social programs and economic reforms, leveraging nostalgia for Correa's leadership during a period of stability and growth.
- The country is grappling with record-high murder rates, a deepening energy crisis caused by drought, and a struggling economy hampered by high debt and low investor confidence.
- Polls suggest Noboa holds a lead, but with 16 candidates on the ballot, a runoff election in April remains a strong possibility.