Ecuador’s presidential runoff features conservative Daniel Noboa and leftist Luisa González, leading after beating 14 other candidates. Both are focused on tackling escalating crime tied to drug trafficking. Noboa’s government has faced scrutiny despite a reduction in the homicide rate, and elections saw over 83% voter turnout, highlighting public concern over safety.
Ecuador will hold a presidential runoff on April 13 between conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist attorney Luisa González, both of whom outperformed 14 other candidates in the recent election. This runoff follows Noboa’s previous victory in a snap election held in October 2023, which led to his initial 16-month presidency. Both candidates aim to tackle the rampant crime that has plagued Ecuador, linked to cocaine trafficking from Colombia and Peru.
With violence deeply impacting voters, their experiences shaped the decision on whether to support Noboa’s continuation in office or favor González, who promises reform. Noboa’s administration has seen a slight reduction in the homicide rate but remains unable to curb other crimes, escalating public fear.
In the election results, Noboa received approximately 44.43% of the votes, while González garnered 44.17%, according to the National Electoral Council. Mandatory voting laws contributed to a turnout of over 83% among the roughly 13.7 million eligible voters.
Noboa’s presidency has faced criticism for his harsh crime-fighting measures, which some argue overstep legal boundaries. His controversial tactics include declaring a state of internal armed conflict and facilitating police action against influential figures. Despite this, many voters support him for his aggressive stance against organized crime.
González, previously unknown to many voters, was made the presidential candidate by the leftist party of former President Rafael Correa. While Noboa is credited with a small drop in the homicide rate, other violent crimes have surged during his term, raising concerns about public safety.
Political analysts suggest Noboa must refine his strategies moving forward, particularly in light of failures during his administration. Meanwhile, voters like architecture student Keila Torres express skepticism about the capacity of either candidate to truly reduce crime, citing deep-seated corruption as a significant barrier to progress.
The upcoming runoff election in Ecuador features conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa competing against leftist candidate Luisa González, reflecting a divided electorate concerned primarily with security issues. While Noboa claims some success in reducing homicides, overall crime rates remain high, leaving voters questioning whether either candidate can implement effective change. The runoff is expected to be a decisive moment for the nation’s leadership in addressing crime and governance over the next four years.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
