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2w ago

Ecuador Prepares for Tight Presidential Runoff Focused on Crime and Economy

Incumbent Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González vie for leadership in a sharply divided nation grappling with 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)
Indigenous people arrive at a rally for presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez in Tixan, Ecuador, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Low water levels are seen at the Mazar hydroelectric plant in Las Palmas, Ecuador, on April 18, 2024.
Snipers position themselves on top of a roof inside the Litoral Penitentiary on January 7, 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Overview

  • Ecuadorians will vote on Sunday in a closely contested runoff election between President Daniel Noboa and leftist candidate Luisa González, following a near tie in the first round of voting in February.
  • Both candidates have centered their campaigns on tackling surging violence linked to drug cartels, with Noboa defending his 'Phoenix' security plan and González proposing increased police presence and community-based initiatives.
  • Noboa's controversial approach includes potential U.S. military involvement, raising concerns about foreign intervention, while González opposes such measures and advocates for domestic solutions.
  • The nation’s struggling economy, still reeling from the impacts of COVID-19, remains a top voter concern, with both candidates presenting differing visions for recovery and growth.
  • Concerns over electoral fraud have heightened tensions, with both candidates urging vigilance and signaling potential disputes in the event of a close result.