Ecuador is facing a tense prelude to the polls as examinations of security and political risk intensify. Thousands of uniformed officers and government workers were deployed on Sunday, underscoring concerns about the presidential contest amid ongoing violence linked to drug trafficking. The assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio injected fear into the election atmosphere, transforming political crime into a potential accelerator of volatility. Business in protective gear surged, with vendors noting a brisk trade in bulletproof vests and helmets. A major daily reported that modern body armor and workwear are now widely sought, reflecting not only concerns for candidates but for voters and ordinary citizens who seek extra protection on the streets.
In Ecuador, the dollar remains the country’s currency after more than two decades without a sovereign one. American goods fill shop shelves, and specialized retailers abound. A roughly thousand-dollar undershIRT that absorbs bullets, a six-hundred-dollar helmet, and other high-grade protective equipment have become common purchases. A Guayaquil storefront near Avenida de las Américas displays protective models designed even for women. Typical buyers describe a persistent fear of sudden violence and the possibility of misfortune striking at the wrong moment, prompting some to carry additional protection into their daily routines. A source quoted by Universethese highlighted that risk is not merely abstract; it is felt by those who fear being singled out by bad luck and violence and choose to invest in safety gear as a precaution.
The campaign period remained marked by threats and religious outreach up to the final days. In Durán, near Guayaquil, the businessman Daniel Noboa, son of a long-time presidential candidate, reported hearing gunfire while leading a caravan in the last bid to improve his position in regional polls. Other leading contenders included Correist Luisa González, who noted that the election season had been unusually fraught. Some observers questioned the government’s handling of events, suggesting that emotions were being manipulated to influence voters. Meanwhile, two individuals were found handcuffed and lifeless in another area of Playas canton in Guayaquil, a sobering reminder of the country’s security challenges tied to drug trafficking networks.
escalation of violence
From the moment President Lasso moved to call earlier elections, a string of political assassinations intensified, marking a dramatic escalation. These events followed periods of congressional scrutiny over alleged corruption. Villavicencio’s death is seen by many as a pivotal moment for several reasons: armed groups linked to Mexican cartels first asserted themselves in Quito and then exposed the depth of crime inside state structures.
Former Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa, who governed from 2007 to 2017, suggested the attack was a political conspiracy involving right-wing factions and segments of security forces aimed at blocking González’s path to victory. He described the killings as a ruthless tactic that harmed a candidate who might have posed a strong challenge. Beyond Correa’s theory, the security situation after Villavicencio’s death dominated debates among candidates and even elevated the profile of lesser-known contenders like Jan Topic, a businessman who has highlighted his background with military service and framed himself as a tough stance against crime.
Analysts noted that the assassination appeared to push the country to reexamine its approach to drug trafficking and organized crime. A columnist for Capital Daily argued that the state appeared seriously destabilized, urging national unity to rebuild institutions that have suffered through cycles of political upheaval. The responsibility to restore faith in governance was framed as essential to revisiting the institutional framework that underpins the country’s democracy.
Lasso’s debts
President Lasso remains a central figure in discussions of governance and popular support. Public opinion surveys showed widespread dissatisfaction with his administration, contributing to a decision not to run again and to the Creo party’s choice not to nominate a candidate for the Assembly. The former banker took office in 2021 with a plan to secure long-term leadership but faced persistent resistance from a dissatisfied electorate as social protests intensified and budgets came under strain. He is expected to depart the presidential residence in a manner that reflects the political upheaval surrounding the election.
Before the campaign, economic reforms tied to an international framework shaped policy discussions. As part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the government pledged to reduce the fiscal deficit, a move that affected poorer sectors the most. National poverty levels were reported to be around a quarter of the population, with extreme poverty affecting a smaller share. The country’s debt stood near four dozen billion dollars, with exports of oil, seafood, fruit, and flowers forming the backbone of the economy. Remittances from Ecuadorian migrants remained a crucial economic lifeline, reaching a record high and comprising a sizable portion of household income from the United States.
The mobilization of indigenous groups and labor unions added to the political pressures facing the administration. Violent episodes in prisons and cities intensified concerns about public safety and governance. Persistent challenges included health and welfare issues, with chronic child malnutrition and high informal employment posing ongoing burdens. In this volatile environment, the election campaign carried both the weight of policy proposals and the emotional charge of real-world violence, shaping voter perceptions and the candidates’ strategies for engaging the public.