Ecuador’s general elections occurred on February 9, 2025, leading to a runoff between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and former Correista candidate Luisa González on April 13. As violence and unemployment rise, both candidates present starkly different approaches—Noboa advocates military intervention while González prioritizes social investments to address insecurity and rebuild civic trust. The election will significantly influence Ecuador’s future amid pressing societal issues.
Ecuador recently held general elections on February 9, 2025, with over 11 million voters participating. The elections included votes for the president, vice president, 151 assembly members, and five Andean parliamentarians. No candidate secured a clear victory, leading to a runoff election scheduled for April 13, where incumbent President Daniel Noboa will face former Correista candidate Luisa González, marking their second electoral battle.
The new National Legislative Assembly, commencing on May 14, will largely comprise two main political factions: the center-left Movimiento Revolución Ciudadana (RC) led by Rafael Correa, and the ruling center-right Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN). Both candidates are called to implement strategies addressing crucial issues affecting the populace, particularly the rampant unemployment and growing insecurity reported by a significant portion of the population.
In light of escalating violence, notably an alarming homicide rate, public safety remains an unresolved crisis for Ecuador. Security expert Luis Córdova indicates that the growth in violent incidents, such as the dramatic rise in deaths from 487 in January 2024 to 732 in January 2025, stems from inadequate public investment in vital services.
President Noboa’s strategy includes an aggressive approach termed the “internal armed conflict.” This policy arose following a violent incident involving armed men storming a television station and resulted in military personnel being deployed in urban areas. Criticism of this approach intensified following the tragic disappearance of four minors allegedly detained by the military, highlighting potential government accountability issues.
Conversely, Luisa González advocates for addressing insecurity through social investments aimed at the reintegration and support of victims. Drawing on her experience from Rafael Correa’s administration, she proposes restoring several governmental bodies focused on security and justice. Unlike Noboa, González emphasizes rebuilding civic trust through citizen engagement in political oversight and ensuring transparency in political financing.
Both candidates must articulate their plans to combat violence and unemployment as they head towards the crucial runoff. González aims to strengthen democratic institutions and scrutinize political affiliations to drug trafficking, while Noboa continues to leverage military intervention strategies. The outcome of the April election will significantly influence Ecuador’s path for the coming years, amid pressing socio-political challenges.
As Ecuador approaches the crucial runoff election, the contrasting approaches of President Daniel Noboa and Luisa González reflect stark choices regarding public safety and social reform. Noboa’s military-focused strategy has faced scrutiny due to recent violent incidents, whereas González emphasizes social investments to ensure community safety and rehabilitation. The election’s outcome will be pivotal in shaping Ecuador’s future amidst ongoing challenges such as violence and unemployment.
Original Source: globalvoices.org
