The people of Ecuador cast their votes in a critical presidential election during Sunday when they had to decide between incumbent Daniel Noboa of the conservative movement and leftist hopeful Luisa González. The reelection contest serves as a second battle between Noboa and González to deal with the nation’s rising crime wave and economic turbulence which have led the discussion throughout the race.
Two candidates Noboa and González fought to be elected president among sixteen candidates while promising solutions to drug-related violence that was growing throughout the country. At 37 years old Noboa announced his leadership of a banana empire through aggressive crime measures which included civil war status for military action against criminal organizations. As the protégée of former President Rafael Correa González supports leftist policies to both decrease inequality and boost public safety for citizens of Ecuador.
Election voters identify crime as a crucial issue of national importance. During his time in office Noboa failed to deliver according to 35-year-old mother Marta Barres who said this directly. The monthly protection fees Barres pays to the local gang will influence his vote to support González because the candidate represents his hopes for comprehensive economic development and security transformation. Doctor Pablo Votruba supports President Noboa by commending his “direct confrontation” against drug trafficking and administrative corruption. 
The final election results will create substantial effects on Ecuador’s coming course which will involve changes in migration patterns towards the United States. The electoral rules demand that one of the two candidates reaches either 50% of votes cast or 40% with a ten-point advantage to bypass another election cycle next April. The people of Ecuador wait to learn if they prefer to maintain their current direction or they desire to return to leftist leadership.
