Ecuador’s Second Presidential Election of 2025: Candidates and Perspectives
The upcoming Ecuadorian presidential election features incumbent Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González, both advocating militaristic crime policies. Noboa, facing economic challenges, plans to reinforce crime measures and address the energy crisis, while González proposes a return to Correa-era reforms focusing on social welfare and justice. Voter decisions could significantly influence the nation’s trajectory.
Ecuador’s second presidential election in 2025 features incumbent President Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González, each presenting distinct economic plans while both endorsing militaristic crime policies. The upcoming election follows the February general election, where both candidates garnered around 44 percent of the votes; neither secured the necessary 50 percent for a definitive victory.
Taking office in 2023, Daniel Noboa, at the age of 35, succeeded in completing the term of former President Guillermo Lasso. Noboa’s incumbency began under challenging circumstances, including a notable rise in the murder rate between 2018 and 2022, which quadrupled. He promptly enacted a 60-day state of emergency, labeling 22 criminal gangs as terrorist groups to militarize crime-fighting efforts, which included enhanced powers for security forces.
Though initially effective in reducing homicides by 17 percent, Noboa’s approach did not sustain long-term safety; January 2025 recorded the highest monthly homicide count in Ecuador’s history, with 731 homicides documented. Economically, the nation has faced recession influenced by an energy crisis, primarily due to drought-induced declines in hydropower, Ecuador’s primary energy source, resulting in significant blackouts and loss of productivity.
If reelected, Noboa intends to reinforce his tough crime measures, including the construction of a significant maximum-security prison to house notorious drug traffickers. His economic focus points toward alleviating the energy crisis and expanding poverty-relief programs, such as the “Bono de Desarrollo Humano” initiative.
On the other hand, Luisa González, a progressive candidate with ties to former President Rafael Correa, also proposes a strong military presence as a countermeasure to crime. She advocates for reinstating the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, and Worship to enhance rehabilitation efforts, which was dissolved in 2018 to cut government expenditure.
González’s economic vision includes transitioning away from oil dependency while fostering social spending in violent areas, reducing the sales tax, and encouraging women-led businesses through tax credits. Notably, both candidates, despite differing economic strategies, share a commitment to bolstering government authority in the context of safety and security.
As the election approaches, the potential consequences of candidates’ policies may significantly impact voters, highlighting the necessity of careful consideration in their choices at the polls.
In conclusion, the second presidential election of 2025 in Ecuador presents stark contrasts between the policies of Daniel Noboa and Luisa González. Both candidates prioritize militarized crime policies, yet they diverge in their economic strategies. Noboa aims to strengthen his crime deterrent measures amid an ongoing recession, while González seeks to revitalize Correa-era policies aimed at social equity and justice. Voter decisions will be critical, as the implemented strategies will affect public welfare and governance in Ecuador’s future.
Original Source: reason.com
