Description: The leftist lawyer Luisa Gonzalez and conservative Daniel Noboa would face in runoff elections in April to determine Ecuador’s new president. Noboa has won 44.31% of the votes while Gonzalez held firm at 43.83% which put both candidates far away from the rest. Both face significant pressure as they stare down a four – year mandate which would force them to resolve Ecuador’s mounting socio – economic pressure from gang violence, extortion and drug trafficking. The public is divided as Gonzalez could instigate severe changes in the country as a newly appointed President, however, many also supported the hard – line approach of Noboa, who declared state of internal armed conflicted in Jan 2024 and mobilized the military to confront the gangs.
Impact: Ecuador’s growing gang violence and extortion threw the country in a prolonged security crisis which sought elections and overturn of the state of affairs. Noboa’s hardline approach could work with the elder population, but the larger public seemed to be aligned with the leftist Gonzalez. Growing government corruption would also influence the result of the election as Noboa has inherited a government with low esteem in the fight against violent gangs and cartels operating on Ecuadorian territory. The skepticism of things changing could potentially see Noboa win the elections in April, but Gonzalez could triumph across the polls depending on the upcoming campaign activities, and political commitments in the future.