Ecuador’s Presidential Election 2025: Economic Visions and Crime Policies
Ecuador’s second presidential election in 2025 pits incumbent Daniel Noboa against challenger Luisa González. Both candidates share militaristic crime reduction policies, while their economic strategies diverge significantly. Noboa focuses on strong law enforcement and infrastructure projects, while González aims to reinstate rehabilitative justice frameworks and reduce dependency on oil. The election outcome may significantly influence state power dynamics and citizen welfare.
Ecuador will hold its second presidential election of 2025 next month, presenting voters with a choice between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and progressive challenger Luisa González. Following the February general election, where neither candidate attained the necessary 50 percent vote, both earnestly seek election amidst distinct economic perspectives yet similar militaristic views on crime prevention.
Daniel Noboa, the youngest president in Ecuador’s history, assumed office in 2023 after former President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly to avoid impeachment due to alleged corruption. Noboa encountered significant challenges, as the murder rate in Ecuador quadrupled from 2018 to 2022, prompting him to declare a state of emergency in multiple provinces shortly after taking power and classify numerous criminal gangs as terrorist entities.
Under Noboa’s leadership, initial reductions in the homicide rate were achieved through strict crime policies; yet, violence surged again, with January 2025 recording the highest number of homicides in the nation’s history. Furthermore, the economy has faced severe setbacks, entering recession primarily due to an energy crisis stemming from drought-induced reductions in hydropower, leading to extreme blackouts and substantial economic losses.
Noboa’s reelection plan includes continuing tough-on-crime measures and constructing a maximum-security prison for the country’s most dangerous criminals. Additionally, he aims to address the energy crisis and reduce poverty through vague plans focused on expanding social programs like the “Bono de Desarrollo Humano.”
In contrast, Luisa González, endorsed by former President Rafael Correa, advocates strong military and police interventions against crime while emphasizing rehabilitation efforts through the reinstatement of the Ministry of Justice. Although successful in previously mitigating crime during her predecessor’s term, Correa’s controversial legacy complicates her campaign.
González’s economic strategy seeks to reduce reliance on oil, which still constitutes a significant portion of Ecuador’s energy requirements, while increasing social spending and supporting women-owned businesses through tax incentives. Despite diverse economic approaches, both candidates propose strengthening state powers under the pretext of public safety, a situation that may adversely affect citizens regardless of the election’s outcome.
In summary, Ecuador’s upcoming presidential election encapsulates two distinct visions for the nation’s future. Daniel Noboa represents a continuation of conservative policies focusing on crime control and infrastructure investment, while Luisa González seeks to implement progressive social policies and rehabilitative justice. Nevertheless, both candidates prioritize security, indicating a potential trend toward increased state power that may have effects on the populace, irrespective of the election’s resolution.
Original Source: reason.com
