Ecuador’s second presidential election of 2025 will pose a choice between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González. Noboa has focused on militaristic crime policies amid an economic recession, while González pushes for social reform and strengthening rehabilitation programs. Both candidates advocate for increased state power to combat crime, presenting distinct paths for Ecuador’s future.
Ecuador’s forthcoming presidential election in 2025 will see incumbent President Daniel Noboa, a conservative, face off against progressive challenger Luisa González. Neither candidate secured the requisite majority in the February general election, necessitating this second round. Both obtained approximately 44 percent of the votes, reflecting a divided electorate.
Daniel Noboa, at age 35, is Ecuador’s youngest president and the scion of a prominent banana industry family. He assumed office in 2023 after the dissolution of the National Assembly by his predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, to thwart an impeachment vote linked to a corruption scandal. Noboa faced significant challenges, including a dramatic increase in the murder rate, which quadrupled between 2018 and 2022, prompting him to declare a state of emergency in several provinces shortly after taking office to combat crime.
Noboa’s initial tough measures produced a temporary decline in homicide rates, with a 17 percent reduction noted through August 2024. However, January 2025 marked the most violent month in Ecuador’s history, with 731 reported homicides. The economic climate under Noboa has also deteriorated, marked by a recession attributed to an energy crisis caused by droughts, severely limiting hydropower supply, leading to extensive blackouts.
Should he retain office, Noboa intends to reinforce strict crime policies, including the construction of a substantial maximum-security prison. His economic agenda remains underdeveloped but prioritizes addressing the energy crisis and poverty alleviation through various social programs, such as the “Bono de Desarrollo Humano,” which offers stipends to needy families.
Challenger Luisa González, a former candidate from the 2023 election and protégé of ex-President Rafael Correa, articulates similar security policies, advocating a strong military presence to combat crime and targeting drug lords. Despite her association with Correa, who faces corruption convictions, she has publicly stated her intent to avoid involvement in his legal issues if elected.
González’s strategy includes reinstating the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, and Worship to reform rehabilitation programs within the penal system, following its dissolution to cut government expenditures. Additionally, her economic vision aims to transition Ecuador away from its dependence on oil while calling for increased social spending and tax relief for female entrepreneurs.
Both candidates may diverge in their approach to economics but converge on expanding government authority for public safety. The implications of their strategies warrant scrutiny, as the consequences may adversely affect the populace regardless of the election’s outcome.
In conclusion, the upcoming 2025 presidential election in Ecuador features two distinct candidates, each presenting differing economic visions alongside a shared commitment to militarized crime policies. Incumbent Daniel Noboa is grappling with a challenging economic and security landscape, while Luisa González proposes a return to the Correa administration’s social policies. The choices voters make will significantly impact the nation’s direction in terms of crime governance and economic recovery.
Original Source: reason.com
