Luisa Gonzalez proclaimed victory in Ecuador’s presidential election despite provisional results putting her second to incumbent Daniel Noboa, who leads narrowly. Gonzalez highlighted this as her party’s best performance in ten years and accused Noboa of exploiting state resources. The elections, influenced by rising violence and insecurity, call for new national authorities among over 13.7 million voters.
Ecuadorian presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez declared victory in the recent general election despite preliminary results indicating a close competition with the incumbent Daniel Noboa, who currently leads with 44.75% of votes compared to Gonzalez’s 43.83%. Gonzalez, representing the Citizen Revolution party, stated this achievement is their best performance in a decade, noting it is significant, especially without former President Rafael Correa in the race.
Gonzalez claimed that they are in a “technical tie” and anticipates an increase in their vote share, contrasting her campaign’s momentum with Noboa’s decline. She accused Noboa of leveraging state resources illegally for his campaign, alleging he has violated legal protocols. In addressing her supporters, she expressed that “Today Ecuador has won, the country has won, and we are going stronger,” underscoring her commitment to positive change.
Ecuadorians participated in this election under a heightened security atmosphere, following a declaration of “internal armed conflict” due to rampant organized crime affecting the nation—a response initiated by Noboa in 2024. More than 13.7 million voters aimed to select new national authorities, including the presidency, vice presidency, parliamentary members, and representatives for the Andean parliament. The significance of these elections is further emphasized by the increased violence, with Ecuador facing the highest homicide rate in Latin America in 2023.
In summary, the Ecuadorian elections have sparked a contested narrative, with Luisa Gonzalez claiming electoral victory despite trailing in preliminary results. The allegations against Daniel Noboa regarding his use of state resources raise questions about electoral integrity. Ultimately, the elections are pivotal for Ecuador, reflecting the ongoing challenges of violence and governance in the country.
Original Source: efe.com
