Ecuador's Presidential Election Heads to April Runoff

Incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa González advance after a tight first-round race in a country grappling with violence and constitutional challenges.

Daniel Noboa, the conservative incumbent, secured 44.3% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Luisa González, who garnered 43.8%, with 91% of votes counted.
The runoff election is scheduled for April 13, as neither candidate achieved the required majority or a 10-point lead to win outright in the first round.
Ecuador faces escalating violence linked to drug cartels, with Noboa declaring a state of emergency and militarizing security efforts during his presidency.
Critics accuse Noboa of constitutional violations for not stepping down during his campaign, as required, and of sidelining his vice president to retain control.
González, backed by exiled former president Rafael Correa, appeals to poorer voters and has framed her campaign around combating crime through social reforms and addressing systemic corruption.