On Sunday, Ecuadorians will select a new president in the wake of a recent assassination that shook the country and exposed concerns over escalating violence. The incoming administration will face the critical task of addressing mounting demands for safety, although the means to fund crime-fighting initiatives remain uncertain. Many citizens long for the prosperity experienced during Rafael Correa’s presidency, despite the fact that it left the country with a significant fiscal deficit and billions of dollars in debt.
The upcoming ballot will feature eight candidates, including Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption advocate who tragically lost his life on August 9th while leaving a campaign event in Quito. His assassination marked the third and most high-profile killing of a political figure this year. Voting is mandatory for Ecuadorian citizens aged 18 to 64.
There are concerns that the fear caused by Villavicencio’s murder may negatively impact voter turnout, as people hesitate to leave their homes to cast their ballots. Some individuals may even choose to pay a fine instead of risking their safety at polling stations.
Villavicencio, a former journalist, was vocal about the connections between organized crime and government officials. His outspokenness may have ultimately led to his tragic demise. Latin America expert Eduardo Gamarra compares Ecuador’s current situation to Colombia during the violent drug wars of the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting the presence of transnational organized crime and its detrimental effect on the country.
Ecuadorian authorities attribute the recent surge in violence to a power vacuum created by the killing of notorious gang leader Jorge Zambrano in 2020. Gangs like Los Choneros, along with Mexican and Colombian cartels, are engaging in territorial battles, drug trafficking, and exerting control even within detention facilities. The resulting violence and crime have instilled fear in the hearts of Ecuadorians, deterring them from venturing out into public spaces.
Candidate promises to bolster law enforcement, provide better resources and training, and clean up police forces have been made throughout the campaign. Additionally, there is a focus on increasing border control along the Colombian and Peruvian borders, given their status as major cocaine-producing regions. However, the government is facing financial constraints, with declining tax revenues and oil exports contributing to a large fiscal deficit.
The winner of this election will inherit a fiscal mess, with the need for significant funding to address the country’s pressing issues. President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly earlier this year to avoid impeachment, further complicating the country’s political landscape.
The recent arrest of six Colombian men suspected of involvement in Villavicencio’s assassination shed some light on the perpetrators behind these crimes. Nevertheless, the violence and power dynamics in Ecuador continue to pose a threat to anyone who challenges the status quo.
As Ecuadorians head to the polls, heightened security measures have been put in place to ensure safety during the election process. With over 100,000 police and military officers deployed, the goal is to safeguard the lives of citizens and enable them to exercise their right to vote without fear.
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