Ecuador’s presidential campaign is in its final stretch, with candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez appealing to undecided voters amidst rising violence and economic troubles. Polls indicate a competitive race, primarily between Noboa and Gonzalez, each presenting contrasting approaches to the country’s security crisis. Citizens express widespread dissatisfaction, and significant outcomes are anticipated in the upcoming election.
Ecuador’s presidential candidates, incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez, are making final appeals to undecided voters ahead of the coming election. Their campaign, marred by violence from drug cartels and a struggling economy, has highlighted the public’s dissatisfaction. Street vendor Jesus Chavez reflects this frustration, stating, “We are surviving, not living.” Ecuador faces a significant increase in crime and a rising murder rate amidst a turf war between rival gangs involved in the drug trade.
As election day approaches, almost 14 million Ecuadorans are set to vote from a crowded slate of candidates. Polling suggests a tight race primarily between Noboa, a wealthy banana heir, and Gonzalez, who has deep ties to the leftist movement in Ecuador. Gonzalez aims to garner support in her coastal strongholds and crucial low-income areas attributed to her mentor, ex-president Rafael Correa, who is currently in exile.
Gonzalez has criticized Noboa’s stringent security measures, which have included military interventions and declarations of emergencies, asserting that such approaches are ineffective. “It’s urgent that we change the country, not with declarations of war, which aren’t going to lead anywhere, but by constructing peace,” she stated during her campaign. In contrast, Noboa leverages a hardline stance against crime, promoting a strong military presence and portraying himself as action-oriented.
Noboa’s campaign has included visually striking elements, such as trucks broadcasting music in support of his leadership, while affluent communities have showcased life-size cutouts of him. Although currently leading in polls, Noboa’s previous surprising electoral win in 2023 and potential need for a runoff raise questions about his electoral stability. Both candidates are vying for public confidence in a tumultuous political and social climate.
Ecuador is currently experiencing high levels of violence due to drug trafficking, significantly disrupting the social fabric and the economy. Once viewed as a stable and prosperous nation, the country is now embroiled in conflicts between various criminal organizations seeking control over drug routes leading to international markets. This ongoing situation is further complicated by an economic downturn stemming from the pandemic, leaving many citizens disillusioned and anxious about safety and livelihoods.
As Ecuador heads into the presidential election, the rivalry between Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez intensifies against a backdrop of escalating cartel violence and economic strife. Both candidates are working to capture the critical undecided voter segment while addressing the nation’s pressing security challenges. The election results will reveal whether the public favors Noboa’s hardline policies or Gonzalez’s calls for peace and structural reforms.
Original Source: news.az
