Ecuador is electing a new president this Sunday amid an unprecedented security crisis in the country. The favorite by a narrow margin is Daniel Noboa, the heir to a business empire. Only 35 years old, he is the son of Álvaro Noboa, a businessman who dreamed of becoming president and ran up to five times without achieving this. The candidate has a master’s degree from Harvard and advocates for cutting taxes and attracting international investment. Although he is clearly a pro-business candidate, he has also criticized the banking industry and promised increased social spending.
Up front he will have 45-year-old Luisa González, the left option. González was the first round winner but failed to attract much support. She is the candidate of former President Rafael Correa’s party, and that is her strength and weakness. The association with Correa gives her a solid voter base, but also leads to rejection among an important part of the population. The two candidates are close to elections this Sunday, in which Ecuadorians will have the final say.
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