Ecuador Prepares for Presidential Election Amid Crime and Economic Crises

President Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa González vie for voter confidence as violence and economic struggles dominate the national discourse.

• Ecuadorians head to the polls Sunday to decide whether President Daniel Noboa will secure a full term or if Luisa González, a leftist candidate and protégé of former President Rafael Correa, will take office.
• The election follows years of escalating cartel violence, with the murder rate increasing by over 400% since 2019, and widespread economic hardships tied to post-pandemic recovery struggles.
• Noboa, 37, has emphasized his hardline security measures, including deploying the military to combat organized crime, while González has criticized his approach, calling for peace-building initiatives instead.
• To win outright in the first round, a candidate must secure at least 50% of the vote or 40% with a 10-point lead; otherwise, a runoff election will be held in April.
• Public sentiment reflects deep frustration with crime and governance, with many voters undecided or skeptical of both leading candidates' ability to deliver meaningful change.

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