Ecuador’s second presidential election in 2025 features incumbent Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González, both of whom advocate for militaristic crime policies. Noboa, amid a recession and escalating violence, plans to reinforce his tough-on-crime agenda while addressing energy challenges. Conversely, González aims to restore social programs and shift towards a post-oil economy, despite her previous ties to Correa. Both candidates emphasize the expansion of state power, raising concerns about public safety implications.
Ecuador’s upcoming second presidential election in 2025 will present voters with a choice between incumbent conservative President Daniel Noboa and progressive challenger Luisa González. Neither candidate secured the necessary 50 percent of the vote in February’s general election, as both received approximately 44 percent. The election is critical due to a backdrop of escalating crime and economic challenges in the nation.
Daniel Noboa, who became Ecuador’s youngest president in 2023, assumed office amid a political crisis after former President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly to avoid impeachment over a corruption scandal. Noboa’s administration has faced severe crime rates, prompting declarations of multiple states of emergency and assigning military authority to address gang violence, including operations without prior judicial approval.
Although Noboa’s initial security measures resulted in a temporary reduction in homicides by 17 percent, January 2025 was marked by an unprecedented level of violence, registering 731 murders. The economy under Noboa has entered recession, attributed primarily to an energy crisis stemming from severe droughts affecting hydropower generation, coupled with crippling blackouts resulting in substantial productivity losses.
Should he retain the presidency, Noboa intends to reinforce his stringent anti-crime measures, including the construction of a new maximum-security prison. His economic focus involves navigating the energy crisis while pursuing initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, including cash support for low-income families.
Luisa González, who previously contested against Noboa in 2023, has connections to former President Rafael Correa. Despite her affiliation, she has publicly distanced herself from Correa’s legal controversies and has no intention to pardon him. González’s crime policy mirrors Noboa’s, advocating a strong security presence to combat drug trafficking, while also emphasizing the need for improved rehabilitation services for inmates through the reinstatement of the Ministry of Justice.
Economically, González proposes to transition Ecuador from reliance on oil—currently meeting 82 percent of its energy needs—while increasing social spending and reducing taxes, particularly for businesses owned by women. This platform suggests a revival of Correa’s policy era. Both candidates advocate for amplifying governmental authority in addressing public safety, posing potential risks for the electorate if their plans are enacted.
The 2025 Ecuadorian presidential election presents voters with two contrasting candidates, each proposing distinct economic visions yet favoring increased state intervention in crime control. Daniel Noboa aims to maintain stringent security measures while attempting to revive the economy amid an energy crisis. In contrast, Luisa González seeks to shift towards a post-oil economy and restore social programs. The implications of their proposed policies will significantly impact Ecuador’s future security and economic landscape, regardless of the election outcome.
Original Source: reason.com
