Noboa wins Ecuador's presidency amid security crisis

Incumbent Daniel Noboa emerged victorious in Ecuador's presidential runoff election with 90% of the votes counted, the National Electoral Council announced Sunday.

The right-wing candidate secured 55.92% of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez, who received 44.08%.

“This victory has been historic, a victory of more than a million votes where there is no doubt who the winner is,” said Noboa in his first speech after being re-elected.

Born on Nov. 30, 1987 in Miami, Noboa is the son of Alvaro Noboa, one of Ecuador's wealthiest individuals. Throughout his campaign, he addressed Ecuador's critical security challenges, emphasizing a "law-and-order" platform and pledging to combat drug trafficking and gang violence.

His opponent, Gonzalez, a protege of former leftist President Rafael Correa, campaigned on a platform of social justice, promising to address economic inequality.

Upon learning the results, Gonzalez said she does not recognize the outcome and will request a recount of the votes.

In 2023, Noboa ran and won the nation's highest office, endorsed by the National Democratic Action movement, following then-President Guillermo Lasso's dissolution of Congress and subsequent call for elections.

Despite facing criticism for the lack of tangible security improvements during his prior term, his message resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, leading to his re-election.

In the first round of voting on Feb. 9, Noboa secured a narrow victory, defeating Gonzalez by fewer than 17,000 votes.

While Gonzalez garnered substantial support, particularly from those seeking social and economic reforms, Noboa's focus on security ultimately proved decisive in the runoff.

Ecuador, once considered a relatively peaceful nation, has experienced a dramatic surge in violence, compounded by economic hardships, including rising poverty and power outages.

The nation recorded a homicide rate of 39 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, and the first two months of 2025 witnessed a 72% increase in homicides compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

In response to this escalating violence, President Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency Saturday in seven provinces, including the capital, Quito.

He will assume the presidency on May 24 for a four-year term.