Ecuador’s presidential election is underway, with many voters having become victims of crime since violence erupted four years ago. The country’s homicide rate has dropped slightly under incumbent President Daniel Noboa, but kidnappings and robberies have increased.
Voters like 23-year-old Briggitte Hurtado are skeptical of Noboa due to her personal experiences since he became president. She was robbed twice leaving work last year and had her boyfriend’s account withdrawn in a cab for four hours. These incidents reflect the widespread concern over safety and security under Noboa’s leadership.
The spike in violence is linked to cocaine trafficking from neighboring Colombia and Peru, with Mexican, Colombian, and Balkan cartels operating in Ecuador. The election features 16 candidates, including Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González, who defeated him in a snap election last year.
Noboa has delivered results on crimefighting, but his actions have raised concerns over the limits of laws and norms. He authorized a state of emergency to mobilize the military and raided Mexico’s embassy to arrest a fugitive former Vice President. These moves have sparked debate about his approach to governance.
Voting is mandatory in Ecuador, and thousands of inmates cast ballots at prisons. Some voters are expressing discontent by casting blank votes. For resident Dario Castro, who was robbed twice last year and had his brother kidnapped, the only options seem radical: either make a pact with the mafia or attack it head-on to ensure public safety.
The election outcome will determine whether Noboa can turn Ecuador around or if he deserves more time in office. As Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin American relations at the Council on Foreign Relations, notes, people are voting less for Noboa and more against the Correismo movement, which has ruled Ecuador since 2007. The election result will have significant implications for the country’s future.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-election-noboa-gonzalez-violence-crime-cocaine-3ccf5c11856ad1d71fd3c0e8f0a6be4e