Ecuador Heads to Polls for Runoff Election Amidst Security Crisis

Ecuadorians will cast their votes in a crucial runoff presidential election this Sunday, choosing between current conservative President Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González, CNN reports.

The election comes as the country grapples with a severe security crisis fueled by the drug trade.

Noboa, seeking a full four-year term after winning a special election in 2023 to complete his predecessor’s term, faces a strong challenge from González, a protégé of former left-wing President Rafael Correa. The first round of voting in February resulted in a near tie between the two candidates.

The winner will inherit a nation plagued by surging violence and organized crime, a stark contrast to its once-peaceful status.

Unending Crime Wave

Ecuador has witnessed a dramatic rise in the drug trade, leading to the highest homicide rate in Latin America in 2023, according to InSight Crime. While the rate has slightly decreased in 2024, violence persists as criminal groups adapt to government crackdowns.

Noboa has adopted a “mano dura,” or firm-handed, approach to combating crime, even soliciting assistance from foreign governments and companies, particularly the United States. A controversial “strategic alliance” with Erik Prince, founder of the former Blackwater, has raised eyebrows. Documents obtained by CNN suggest plans to house US military forces at a new naval base on the Ecuadorian coast, reversing Correa’s earlier ban on foreign military bases.

González opposes foreign intervention and advocates for a more domestic approach to security.

Economic Woes

Beyond security concerns, Ecuadorians are also battling a struggling economy. Experts warn that the next president will have to manage an economy “teetering on the brink of collapse.”

Candidates and Their Platforms

•  Daniel Noboa: The Harvard-educated son of a wealthy businessman, Noboa is known for his hardline approach to crime. Critics argue his methods are often brutal and have yielded limited long-term results. He has also embraced economic populism, offering cash payments and debt forgiveness to farmers affected by natural disasters.

•  Luisa González: Positioning herself as the champion of social spending, González aims to “Revitalize Ecuador” by returning to the policies of Correa’s presidency. While she has distanced herself from Correa, who was sentenced to prison for bribery in absentia, his legacy remains a key part of her platform. While denying that she would negotiate with criminals, Gonzales plans to take a more diplomatic approach to dealing with the gangs to obtain a more peaceful country. Her party’s plan states her government would strive to create a “new model” of security based on “prevention, violence reduction and coexistence.”