Ecuador’s presidential race is heating up as candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa Gonzalez make final appeals to voters on jobs, crime, and women’s issues. With a tight election expected, both candidates offer starkly different visions for the country’s future amid high levels of violence and economic uncertainty.
Ecuador’s presidential candidates have made their final appeals to voters ahead of a closely contested election. Incumbent president Daniel Noboa, 37, and his leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez, 47, have focused on key issues such as jobs, crime, and engaging women voters. With a voter base of nearly 14 million, the elections on Sunday will significantly impact the country’s future amid rising violence and crime rates.
As the election approaches, a period of silence has commenced, accompanied by a ban on alcohol and a restriction on foreign arrivals to minimize disruptions. Ecuador has faced alarming crime rates, including a murder every hour at the start of the year, prompting Noboa to propose deploying U.S. troops to combat drug cartels.
Should Gonzalez win, it may indicate a leftward shift, cooling relations with the United States. Gonzalez’s connection to ex-president Rafael Correa positions her as a challenger to Noboa’s administration; he is a controversial figure remaining in exile.
Public sentiment appears split, with a previous election round indicating a narrow margin, leaving undecided voters pivotal. Gonzalez has been endorsed by influential indigenous leader Leonidas Iza, yet the unity of his voters remains uncertain. Both candidates held final campaign rallies in Guayaquil, the hub of drug violence, where Gonzalez emphasized economic support for single mothers.
Despite Noboa’s affluent background, he portrays himself as a candidate for change. Analysts caution that a narrow victory could lead to governance issues and claims of electoral fraud. Simon Pachano of FLACSO noted that a minimal voting difference could burden the future government with significant public dissent.
The Ecuador presidential elections signal a critical decision point for voters amid rising violence and socio-economic challenges. With candidates presenting opposing visions for the future, the outcome will influence diplomatic relations, internal security strategies, and social policies. The final appeals to voters and public sentiment illustrate a divided electorate facing crucial choices that could reshape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
