Correspondent of South America
Ecuador’s presidential elections will go into the second round after a closely challenged result in the first round failed to produce a direct winner.
The election authorities called him a “technical embroidery” after the current right right Daniel Nobo and his main left -wing challenger Luis Gonzalez received almost identical percentages of votes.
The couple will now face the runoff in April.
The result is far narrower than the anticipated poll of public opinion, indicating that the second round could be harder to call.
The narrow result also exhausted Nobo’s supporters hopes, which were suffocated by an early exit survey suggesting that he could make a victory directly.
The president’s supporters gathered in Quitou, waving the flags, pulled the T -shirts with their image and held the cardboard cuts in the natural size of the current president.
These cuts, which show the Noboa in various suits-the suits to the tanks of tanks and sunglasses-have stood out the ubiquitous symbols across the country, decorating the front doors, the windows of the apartment, and even the roofs of the car.
The Noboin Presidency is defined by focused on dealing with severe gang violence.
He implemented emergency measures to deploy the army on the streets and prisons to suppress growing crime.
Many of his supporters hope to ensure a mandate in the disposition to continue his safety policies.
“He helped us a lot, ever since there was so bad violence that we couldn’t even go out,” Fernanda said behind.
The 45-year-old added: “The support of the army, which has been introduced by the presence, is already helping.
“He brought us some stability. There are still a lot of problems ongoing, but I hope he will continue with his plan.”
Juan Diego Escobar, 16, expressed optimism about Nobo’s chances.
“I think most people who voted for other candidates would rather vote for Daniel Nobo in the second round,” he said.
“Noboa treats uncertainty well. The crime is pretty well controlled. I think he will improve the economy too.”
Miriam orange said, despite being present, Noboa represented a “change.”
She added: “We need a job that has done so far to continue. He has only gone for a short time. We expected a bigger margin, so we have to work on maintaining that support to our candidate.”
Despite some successes, such as capturing some major gang leaders and a slight reduction in prison violence, the violent crime remains the main question.
The violent death fell in 2024, but it remained close to the record level. In January 2025 alone. Only 750 killings were reported.
Gonzalez – the protégé of former president Rafael Corre – criticized Nobo for not fulfilling key promises, such as an increase in economics, reducing the price of fuel and solving violent crime.
Although she suggested similar military and police surgery in the fight against crime, her campaign emphasized increased social consumption in the most insignificant regions of Ecuador.
His critics also accused him of a slow response to the strong drought that led to an extended reduction in current last year.
Noboa also caused controversy during the campaign, refusing to delegate her presidential duties Vice -President Verónica Abad, citing the hole of the Election Law.
This decision became part of a public splash between the two.
Luis Gonzalez’s supporters see her as an opportunity to change.
Gonzalo Cajas, 46, said, “Why is there a crime? There is poverty. There is a hunger. So, there should be someone who is truly aware of the Ecuador’s workers in order to move the country forward.”
Alejandra Tufiño, 42, she added, “The safety of the earth is in pieces. I want to change. I’m not saying she’ll solve her – but to see what happens if we give her a chance.”
Some voters remain disappointed with both candidates.
Gabriela Cajo, 39, who supported the candidate from the party killed on the presidential tune of 2023. Fernando Villaviccio, expressed frustration for lack of progress in crime.
“Daniel Noboa represents fear, and we present hope, change. We do not want a state of war, we want peace,” she said.
“I think we are all annoyed because of the election processes in the country, and the last thing we want is the second round and more resource wear.
“There will be a huge polarization. There will be a lot of opposition to the one who wins. Once again, we will have to choose who is the least worst.”
Who wins in April will face significant challenges.
Ecuador is still struggling with angry crime, while drugs for drugs are struggling to control the lucrative routes trafficking people through their ports. Abductions and murders remain daily occurrences.
The country also struggles with high unemployment, poor economy and energy crisis that caused disappearances until 2 pm last year.
Noboa has committed to solving these problems by creating jobs, attracting investments and increasing the production of renewable energy sources.
In the meantime, Gonzalez emphasized the need for economic reforms, social investments and a stronger focus to deal with poverty.
