Ecuador’s presidential election is heading to a second round on April 13, with Daniel Noboa and Luisa González as main candidates. Noboa leads with 44.2% against González’s 43.9%. The election occurs in a context of rising crime and economic instability, with implications for U.S. military involvement in Ecuador. Noboa’s campaign seeks to align with military support, while González reflects Correa’s progressive legacy, complicating her stance on U.S. intervention.
Ecuador’s presidential voting occurred on February 9, leading to a second round on April 13 between incumbent President Daniel Noboa of the National Alliance Party (ADN), who garnered 44.2% of the votes, and Luisa González of the Citizen’s Revolution Party with 43.9% of votes counted. The winner will serve from 2025 to 2029.
Daniel Noboa was elected in October 2023 to complete the term of former President Guillermo Lasso, who resigned amid bribery allegations. Noboa’s ADN Party was created for this election, while González, who served under progressive President Rafael Correa from 2007-2017, finished as the runner-up in the previous election.
Leónidas Iza from the Pachakutik party received 5.29% of the votes, with 14 other candidates obtaining the remaining votes. Voter turnout was significant, with 83.4% participation among eligible voters. Opinion polls leading up to the election showed varying support, mainly favoring Noboa.
In this election, Ecuadorians also voted for 151 members of the unicameral National Assembly. Preliminary results indicate the Citizens’ Revolution Party and ADN Party secured 67 and 66 seats, respectively, a significant increase from the previous assembly composition.
Daniel Noboa is linked to a business empire owned by his billionaire father, the country’s largest banana exporter, and he has extensive educational credentials from institutions such as Harvard. In contrast, Luisa González ran a campaign based on Correa’s achievements in social welfare, but faced criticism for her ties to him amid the backdrop of his corruption conviction and exile.
Noboa’s campaign faced scrutiny from an illegal police raid during which the former Correa-era Vice President Jorge Glas was arrested. Additionally, a ruling from the Constitutional Court prohibited Noboa from appointing an interim vice president during his campaign, revealing tensions with current Vice President Verónica Abad.
The overall political environment is turbulent, reflecting ongoing economic hardship and an increase in organized crime, notably related to drug trafficking. The high murder rate, a result of gang violence, has overshadowed both candidates’ platforms, with neither proposing solutions that substantially differ from each other.
Noboa’s ties to Ecuador’s elite suggest he might favor military involvement for protection against organized crime, paralleling strategies observed in Colombia regarding U.S. assistance in stabilizing domestic affairs. Meanwhile, González may resist U.S. intervention, aligning with Correa’s opposition to imperialistic influences, while facing pressure from voters concerned about crime and security.
Noboa has fostered connections with the U.S, culminating in an agreement allowing U.S. military operations in Ecuador. His government also announced controversial plans to establish a U.S. military base in the Galápagos Islands, raising constitutional concerns and echoing historical U.S. military presence in the region.
As the second round approaches, González’s ambiguous stance on U.S. military intervention could influence voters’ preferences, potentially giving Noboa the advantage in a climate where many Ecuadorians may seek safety despite concerns over foreign military presence. The U.S. government remains observant of these unfolding dynamics.
The upcoming second round of Ecuador’s presidential election features Daniel Noboa and Luisa González, with polarized views on U.S. military involvement shaping voter sentiment. Noboa capitalizes on strong business ties and support for law enforcement, while González’s connection to Correa’s progressive agenda raises doubts among certain voters. The backdrop of economic hardship and increased violence complicates the political landscape, with both candidates struggling to present clear, divergent plans in response to national crises. The outcome of this election may pivot on voters’ perceptions of security and foreign influence in Ecuador.
Original Source: www.counterpunch.org
