Ecuador Update: President Noboa Casts His Vote
President Daniel Noboa (L) casts his vote, April 13, 2025. X/ @EPinternacional
April 13, 2025 Hour: 2:14 pm
The streets surrounding the polling place where he voted were kept under strict security measures.
On Sunday, over 13.7 million Ecuadorians head to the polls to elect their next president between Citizen Revolution candidate Luisa Gonzalez and President Daniel Noboa, who is seeking reelection for the 2025–2029 term.
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“Today we win. This will be an important day in Ecuador’s history,” said Noboa after voting in the town of Olon, in the province of Santa Elena.
Wearing a purple shirt—the color of his party, National Democratic Action (ADN)—Noboa voted accompanied by his three children. Among them was his eldest daughter, despite the fact that his ex-wife, Gabriela Goldbaum, had criticized Noboa for exposing the child at political events.
On Saturday, Goldbaum—who reportedly does not often have the opportunity to speak with her daughter when she is at Noboa’s home—issued a statement accusing Noboa and his current wife, Lavinia Valbonesi, of using her daughter in their political activities.
“While I remain silent out of respect for the law and judicial decisions, others turn my daughter into a political poster. Yesterday, once again—for the third time during the campaign—Daniel and Lavinia posted a photo of my daughter on their public social media accounts. Despite the fact that a court ruling explicitly prohibits it. Despite the fact that the Constitution forbids it. Despite the fact that she is a child and not a campaign trophy,” she said.
On Sunday morning, strict security measures kept the streets surrounding the school where Noboa voted closed. Dozens of police officers, soldiers, and presidential security members were stationed outside the location from early morning, with tanks and motorcycles, while others remained on the balconies of nearby houses.
Another group patrolled the streets of the community to prevent any incidents. Additionally, several agents were posted on the access road to the school to search the backpacks and bags of people who were set to vote at the site.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
