Ecuador’s general elections on February 9, 2025, will lead to a runoff on April 13 between incumbent President Noboa and Luisa González. Issues of unemployment and insecurity dominate the election discourse, with diverse approaches proposed by both candidates. Noboa favors a military-led strategy, while González emphasizes social investment and transparency to combat crime. The results will shape Ecuador’s governance for the next four years.
On February 9, 2025, Ecuador conducted general elections, engaging over 11 million voters. The populace elected national authorities, including a president, vice president, and assembly members. The newly formed National Legislative Assembly will be primarily influenced by the center-left Movimiento Revolución Ciudadana, led by former president Rafael Correa, and the ruling center-right Acción Democrática Nacional.
The initial voting round did not yield a conclusive victor; thus, a runoff will occur on April 13, where incumbent President Daniel Noboa will again face Correista candidate Luisa González, whom he previously outperformed in the 2023 elections. Both candidates are expected to present concrete strategies to tackle the prevalent issues of unemployment and insecurity, highlighted by an IPSOS survey indicating these concerns resonate with three-quarters of Ecuadorians.
Ecuador currently grapples with a severe public safety crisis, exacerbated by the highest homicide rates in Latin America. In January 2025 alone, violent deaths surged to 732, a notable increase compared to the 487 recorded in January 2024. Security specialist Luis Córdova links this violence to inadequate public investment in vital sectors such as health and education.
President Noboa proposes to sustain the controversial “internal armed conflict” policy, enacted after a terrorist incident involving armed trespassers at a TV station in early 2024. This decree led to military deployments in urban areas. However, the military’s involvement faced scrutiny after the “Guayaquil Four” case, where four minors allegedly disappeared after being detained by armed forces. Their remains were later found, leading to accusations of forced disappearance, although military personnel deny any wrongdoing.
In addition to maintaining military presence, Noboa seeks constitutional reform to enforce pre-trial detention for terrorism-related charges as a means to prevent judicial dismissal of cases involving serious offenses. On the contrary, Luisa González offers a social investment approach, aiming to restore social support systems for victims and enact robust rehabilitation programs for offenders.
Furthermore, González plans to reinstate key government ministries, reform the Ministry of Interior, and empower Community Security Assemblies to aid civic oversight. In light of rising drug-trafficking allegations associated with political figures, González advocates for an “ethical pact” promoting transparency in campaign financing, thereby strengthening citizens’ role in monitoring political accountability.
As Ecuador approaches its decisive runoff election, the pertinent candidates’ distinctions highlight a growing divide between military-centric and socially-driven strategies to address crime and violence, shaping the nation’s future in the following four years.
Ecuador’s upcoming presidential runoff presents two divergent approaches to tackle pressing issues of violence and insecurity. Incumbent President Daniel Noboa promotes military intervention and tough legal reforms, while Luisa González advocates for social investment and transparency in government. The electorate, concerned predominantly about unemployment and safety, will play a crucial role in determining which vision will guide the country through its myriad challenges over the next four years.
Original Source: globalvoices.org
