Incumbent President Daniel Noboa secured a decisive victory in Ecuador’s presidential runoff on Sunday, defeating leftist rival Luisa González by a 12-point margin. With over 90% of votes counted, official results showed Noboa with 56% support compared to González’s 44%, a wider gap than predicted after a tight first-round race. The 37-year-old leader, son of a billionaire banana tycoon, celebrated a “historic victory” in his hometown of Olón, pledging to immediately address Ecuador’s escalating security and economic crises.
González, however, refused to concede, alleging “grotesque electoral fraud” and demanding a recount. The leftist candidate, who had hoped to become Ecuador’s first female president, claimed without evidence that the results were manipulated. “I refuse to believe the people prefer lies over the truth,” she said, reflecting her campaign’s alignment with exiled former President Rafael Correa, a polarizing figure convicted of corruption. Analysts suggest her ties to Correa alienated voters wary of his populist legacy.
The election was dominated by concerns over Ecuador’s spiraling cartel violence, which has turned the once-peaceful nation into one of Latin America’s deadliest. Noboa’s “iron fist” policies deploying troops, arresting drug lords, and collaborating with U.S. forces resonated with citizens exhausted by gang warfare. A state of emergency declared in Quito before the vote underscored the crisis, with homicides averaging one per hour earlier this year.
Economic stagnation, fueled by investor flight and declining tourism, also shaped the race. Nearly 28% of Ecuadorians now live in poverty, adding urgency to Noboa’s pledges of stability. While his victory signals continuity in hardline security measures, challenges remain in uniting a divided electorate. “Ecuador is split, but we must unite,” said 21-year-old voter Camila Medina.
Noboa’s win may also strengthen ties with the U.S., particularly under a potential second Trump administration. For now, Ecuadorians hope his mandate brings respite from violence and economic decline but González’s fraud claims risk prolonging political tensions.
