Ecuadorians took the poll today in a runoff election between current President Daniel Noboa and left-wing challenger Luisa González. Noboa is seen as a pro-Trump conservative, while Gonzalez is seen as an ideological ally of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Noboa refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela after the 2024 election, and was also committed to fighting criminal gangs with all available resources to restore peace and security in Ecuador.
Gonzalez is expected to follow in the footsteps of her mentor, former President Rafael Correa, and seek stronger ties with Brazilian President Luizináciolula da Silval in Latin America, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, Gustavo Petro of Colombia and Gabriel Boric of Chili.
“Security has always been his primary task as Ecuador’s president. He is committed to dealing with a lot of time, energy and resources in the security situation,” Joseph Humire, the Center for the Security Free Society and executive director of the Center for the First Institute of Policy Research in the United States, told Fox News Digital Numbers.
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Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa is running for re-election, with her partner, accompanying running, waving her vote during the presidential election in Quito, Ecuador on February 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)
“However, the security situation has only a small improvement, which is more complicated with other issues,” Humor added.
González is running on a platform that calls for increased roles in the military in fighting gang violence, but also strongly condemns the excessive use of force and abuse of human rights.
Mathias Valdez Duffau told Fox News Digital that her view on crime seems to be softer, meaning she hasn’t said she’s willing to chase the drug cartel. ”
Valdez Duffao says negotiation policy is similar to previous policy President Correa administration and will focus on the entire government’s approach to crime reduction that will aim to integrate criminal gangs into civil society.
“The reality is that negotiating with criminal gangs could give the government a short-term space to manipulate, but the gangs became stronger and eventually hired government officials, which ultimately led to the country becoming the edge of the state of Narco.”
Luisa González, presidential candidate for the Civil Revolutionary Movement, spoke after the presidential election held in Quito, Ecuador on February 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)
Violence and insecurity remain the top of voters’ minds. Ecuador has the highest murder rate in Latin America, with 6,986 recorded homicides in 2024, making it the second most violent year in Ecuador’s history. In 2024, about 95,000 people fled the country as many communities became the focus of the turf war between rival gangs fighting for territory.
President Noboa declared internal armed conflict in 2024 and ordered the armed forces to conduct military operations to neutralize various transnational organized criminal organizations. Anti-crime initiatives have increased military presence in prisons and communities across the country.
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Blackwater founder Erik Prince traveled with police during Apolo 13 anti-crime operation in Guayaquil, Ecuador on April 5, 2025. (Agencia Press South/Getty Images)
Noboa also called on the international community to provide military assistance and suggested that the U.S. Army could work with Ecuador to fight violent gangs.
Despite the president’s strict position on crime, January 2025 is Ecuador The most violent month In recent history, 781 people have died. Noboa partnered with Erik Prince, founder of private security firm Blackwater, and formed a strategic alliance in March to enhance Ecuador’s ability to fight terrorism.
The Ecuadorian national police reported to individuals who were detained after the police operations, resulting in the killing of multiple victims in Guayaguir, Ecuador on March 7, 2025. (Ecuadorian Ministry of Interior/by Reuters Handout)
European Crime is reportedly a nonprofit crime dedicated to organized crime and security in the Americas, and Ecuador is reportedly one of the region’s “most important drug trafficking hubs” and cocaine vessels from Peru, Colombia to Central America, Mexico and Europe. Many of them Drug trafficking organizations Work through local agents and other criminal groups has penetrated the prison system and expanded its network of street gangs.
Various groups operating throughout the Ecuadorian society and prison system work with family and international drug traffickers, including the Sinaloa Cartel, are considered one of the world’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations and are responsible for the massive trafficking of fentanyl into the United States, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Presidents Noboa and González each received about 44% of the vote in the first round of the election. Gonzalez was the leader of the Civil Revolution and was considered the heir to former President Correa. She also hopes to be Ecuador’s first female president. If she wins, Ecuador can see the left-wing economic policy of the term of Correa’s presidency.
The banner contains images of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, presidential candidate (top) and left-wing presidential candidate Luisa González shot on a street in Guayaquil, Ecuador on April 11, 2025. Ecuador will hold presidential runoff on April 13. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)
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Those who win in the second round will have to separate from the National Assembly, which is evenly split between the two sides, making legislation addressing the country’s unique violence and economic problems even more difficult.
Tungurahua’s former governor Saúl Medina told Fox News Digital that after the election cycle, a comprehensive and firm strategy must be developed to combat gang violence.
After a producer told the police, the man was lying face to face on the ground and was detained by police outside TC TV, part of a group that broke into scenes during live broadcasts in Guayaguel, Ecuador. AP/Cesar Munoz)
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Medina believes that the two most important issues that must be addressed are strengthening institutions and better oversight Police and the Justice System Rooted corruption and prison reform.
“The prison must stop being the operation center of the gang,” Medina added.
Valdez Duffao, Humor and other experts in Latin America, agreed that Noboa fell into a feat with President Trump. They are ideologically similar, and if Noboa wins, it could put him in a better position to address the country’s unique violence.
