Ecuador’s Crucial 2025 Elections: Balancing Military Force and Social Change

Ecuador held general elections on February 9, 2025, leading to a runoff on April 13 between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and Correista candidate Luisa González. Public safety and unemployment are top voter concerns, with debate over each candidate’s proposed methods of governance; Noboa favors military enforcement while González promotes social investment. Recent violence and human rights issues complicate the political landscape as voters prepare for their decisive choice.

Ecuador commenced its general elections on February 9, 2025, with over 11 million citizens voting for their upcoming leaders. They selected national authorities, including the president, vice president, and 151 assembly members. The primary political forces emerging are the center-left Movimiento Revolución Ciudadana (RC), led by former president Rafael Correa, and the center-right Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN), the ruling party at present.

Due to neither candidate achieving a decisive victory, a runoff is scheduled for April 13, where incumbent President Daniel Noboa will compete against Correista candidate Luisa González. Prioritization of plans addressing unemployment and insecurity is vital for both candidates, as a recent IPSOS survey reveals that three-quarters of the population is most concerned about these issues.

Public safety remains a pressing issue, with Ecuador recording the highest homicide rate in Latin America. In January 2025 alone, the country saw an alarming increase in murders, from 487 in January 2024 to 732 in January 2025. Security expert Luis Córdova attributes this uptick in violence to insufficient public investment in essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment.

President Noboa’s proposal includes an approach termed “internal armed conflict.” After an attack on a television station by an armed group in January 2024, Noboa signed a decree allowing military deployment for public security. However, this military approach faces scrutiny due to cases like the forced disappearance of four minors, allegedly involving the military, which has raised significant concerns about human rights violations.

In response to violence, Noboa also advocates for constitutional reform to enforce pre-trial detention for terrorism-related offenses, aiming to restrict judges from releasing suspects before trial. Conversely, the center-left candidate, Luisa González, advocates for social investment to combat insecurity, emphasizing victim protection and rehabilitation. Her proposals include reinstating and restructuring several government ministries to enhance civic oversight and prevent crime.

Addressing concerns regarding drug trafficking allegations linked to political candidates, González proposes an ethical pact to ensure transparency in political financing and bolster accountability among registered political movements. Her strategy aims to restore participatory democracy; however, her opponents, including Noboa, have criticized her without substantiating their claims with evidence.

As Ecuador heads into the second-round election in April 2025, citizens will make a critical choice regarding the future direction of their government, specifically in tackling issues of violence and insecurity.

The upcoming runoff elections present a pivotal juncture for Ecuador as candidates propose differing strategies to address the pressing issues of violence and public security. President Daniel Noboa advocates military intervention and tough policies, while Luisa González emphasizes social investment and democratic integrity. The outcome will substantially influence Ecuador’s trajectory over the next four years, particularly in terms of governance and public safety initiatives.

Original Source: globalvoices.org