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Ecuador Prepares for Pivotal Presidential Runoff Election

Incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa González face a tight race as the nation grapples with surging violence, economic struggles, and concerns over electoral integrity.

Supporters of Luisa Gonzalez, presidential candidate for the Citizen Revolution party, attend a campaign event in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Blackwater Founder Erik Prince walks with police members during an operation in Guayaquil on April 5.
Indigenous people arrive at a rally for presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez in Tixan, Ecuador, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
FILES - This combo shows Daniel Noboa, left, at a campaign event in Quito, Ecuador during his first bid for president on Sept. 29, 2023, and Luisa Gonzalez, right, presidential candidate with the Citizen Revolution party, during an interview in Quito, Ecuador on Aug. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, Files)

Overview

  • Ecuadorians will vote on April 13, 2025, in a runoff election between President Daniel Noboa and Luisa González, following a near-tie in February's first round.
  • Both candidates have pledged to address the country's cocaine-fueled crime crisis, with Noboa favoring military intervention and foreign alliances, while González proposes enhanced local policing and preventive strategies.
  • Economic recovery remains a key issue, with Noboa advocating free-market reforms and job creation incentives, while González emphasizes public works projects and social spending inspired by former President Rafael Correa.
  • Concerns over potential electoral fraud have been raised by both campaigns, highlighting the contentious nature of the race and the possibility of post-election disputes.
  • The election outcome will determine how Ecuador navigates its security and economic challenges, with both candidates facing a fragmented national assembly that could hinder legislative progress.