Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has claimed victory in the country’s latest presidential election, following preliminary results that show him with an insurmountable lead. The National Electoral Council announced on Sunday that with 90% of the votes counted, the trend in Noboa’s favour was “irreversible.”
However, the outcome has sparked controversy, as Noboa’s main rival, Luisa González, has refused to accept the results. Addressing her supporters, González called for a recount, stating, “In the name of the people we represent, we do not recognize the results presented by the National Electoral Council.”
Celebrating the win with supporters in Olon, the 37-year-old Noboa called the day “historic,” declaring, “This victory has also been historic, a victory by more than 10 points, a victory by more than a million votes where there is no doubt who the winner is.”
This election marked the latest showdown between Noboa and González, who also faced off in the 2023 snap elections. Back then, Noboa won a narrow victory to complete the term of the previous president. In this full-term election, he campaigned on a promise to combat crime and rejuvenate Ecuador’s struggling economy—two key issues gripping the nation.
Ecuador has been facing a dire wave of violence, with over 1,000 homicides reported since the start of the year. According to InSight Crime, Ecuador now has the highest homicide rate in Latin America. Voters overwhelmingly cited public safety as their top concern. “Tranquility is the most important thing,” said one voter. “Security is in pieces,” said another, expressing hope that Noboa would fulfill his promises.
To tackle rising crime, Noboa has adopted aggressive measures: declaring states of emergency, deploying military units, and initiating construction on a new maximum-security prison. He has also welcomed foreign assistance, including forming a “strategic alliance” with Erik Prince, founder of the private military company formerly known as Blackwater. His administration is preparing to host U.S. military forces at a new naval base and has proposed lifting Ecuador’s ban on foreign military installations.
In contrast, González has pushed a security model based on prevention, social spending, and community coexistence. She opposed foreign military involvement and advocated for restoring the Ministry of Justice, dismantled in 2018. González framed the contest as a choice between “hope” and “fear,” with her policies focused on social equity and national sovereignty.
As Noboa prepares for his new term, the final vote tally and possible legal battles could further define the political landscape of a nation yearning for peace and stability.
