Daniel Noboa, Ecuador’s 37-year-old center-right leader, secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s presidential runoff, defeating leftist candidate Luisa González with approximately 56% of the vote. The win grants Noboa a full four-year term to expand his aggressive security policies, which have defined his presidency since he took office in November 2023 following a snap election triggered by the impeachment of his predecessor.
Noboa’s campaign centered on his self-proclaimed “war” against transnational drug cartels and local gangs, which have transformed Ecuador into one of Latin America’s most violent nations. His strategy—militarizing streets, constructing maximum-security prisons, and seeking foreign military aid—resonated with voters weary of record homicide rates. In January alone, over 780 murders were recorded, underscoring the urgency of his policies.
Luisa González, a protégée of exiled former President Rafael Correa, conceded defeat but refused to accept the results, alleging electoral fraud without evidence. Her demand for a recount faces legal hurdles without proof, leaving Ecuador’s political landscape deeply divided. González’s base, nostalgic for Correa’s oil-funded social programs, contrasts sharply with Noboa’s supporters, who prioritize security and economic revitalization.
While homicides have dipped slightly under Noboa’s tenure, violence remains endemic. Gangs, many linked to international drug traffickers, continue to terrorize communities, stage prison riots, and assassinate politicians. Noboa recently appealed to the U.S. and Europe for military collaboration and aims to revise Ecuador’s constitution to permit foreign military bases—a reversal of Correa’s 2008 ban.
Noboa’s popularity faced setbacks last year due to widespread power outages caused by droughts that crippled Ecuador’s hydropower-dependent grid. His administration now seeks to diversify energy sources with investments in renewables, alongside pledges to tackle corruption and modernize infrastructure. Economic pressures persist, with unemployment and inflation straining households.
Noboa has signaled a pro-U.S. alignment, including imposing 27% tariffs on Mexican imports and revoking amnesty for undocumented Venezuelan migrants. His outreach to figures like Donald Trump contrasts with Correa’s leftist alliances, reflecting a broader ideological pivot.
The election underscores Ecuador’s stark divides urban voters back Noboa’s security-first agenda, while rural and working-class communities demand a return to Correa-era welfare programs. Noboa’s challenge lies in bridging these factions while proving his policies can deliver lasting stability. Critics warn that heavy-handed tactics risk eroding civil liberties, but for now, his mandate reflects a weary electorate’s gamble on order over reform.
Noboa’s victory speech emphasized “perseverance and hard work,” but his true test begins now. With gangs still entrenched, energy grids fragile, and political tensions simmering, his ability to unite Ecuador—or deepen its fractures—will shape the nation’s trajectory for years to come.
SOURCE: BBC
