The diaspora in London has reported that the recent presidential elections in Ecuador were fraudulent and arbitrary, labelling Daniel Noboa’s government as illegitimate. In a statement released on 19 April, they asserted that there had been manipulation in the electoral process, abuse of state power, and persecution of opponents.
Mayra Crean*
Ecuadorian migrant community organisations have denounced to the international public that the electoral process carried out this year in Ecuador was “fraudulent” and marked by multiple irregularities.
According to the statement, the current government of Daniel Noboa lacks legitimacy and allegedly came to power through the abusive use of the state apparatus, repression, and manipulation of results. In the statement, the complainants contextualise their concerns by reviewing the achievements made by Ecuador during the period 2007 to 2017, when the country experienced significant economic growth and substantial improvements in social indicators.
At that time, inequality was reduced and approximately two million Ecuadorians were lifted out of poverty, partly thanks to policies promoted by the Citizen Revolution Movement government.
However, they assert that this path was interrupted starting with the government of Lenín Moreno (2017–2021), who, they claim, “betrayed” the popular mandate by allying with conservative sectors and implementing neoliberal measures.
This allegedly weakened democratic institutions and opened the door to judicial and media persecution against those who opposed his administration.
Subsequently, under Guillermo Lasso’s government, Ecuador faced a serious security crisis and increased infiltration of drug trafficking in politics. Lasso did not complete his term because, amid an impeachment process driven by corruption allegations related to his brother-in-law Danilo Carrera and narco-politics, he decided to dissolve the National Assembly using the constitutional figure of “muerte cruzada” (crossed death). This measure anticipated the end of his government and led to the call for extraordinary elections. Daniel Noboa, Lasso’s successor, is highlighted by complainants as being part of an economic elite benefitting from the current model.
Regarding the 2025 elections, the migrant community alleges that the process was manipulated to prevent Luisa González´s victory, the Progressive Alliance candidate. Among the irregularities noted are the use of public resources for campaigning, the elimination of opposition candidacies, Noboa’s refusal to take a leave of absence during the campaign, and the militarisation of the country under a state of emergency that limited fundamental freedoms.
The entry of international observers was also prevented, which, according to the statement, affected process transparency.
Candidate, González, has filed more than 5,000 objections due to inconsistencies in the voting records, such as missing signatures or discrepancies in voter numbers, which has raised suspicions of fraud.
In light of this situation, Ecuadorian migrant organisations are calling on the international community to express solidarity with the Ecuadorian people and reject the fraudulent elections. They demand a recount of votes, request a forensic audit of the electoral system of the National Electoral Council, and support collective actions taken in defence of citizens’ rights.
With this statement, the signatories seek to highlight what they consider a serious democratic regression in the country and a threat to Ecuador’s rule of law.
*Mayra Crean: Member of Asamblea Nacional Ciudadana, a coalition of social organizations – mainly Ecuadorian – based in London.
(Translated by Susan Seccombe – Email: ess.translations at gmail dot com) – Photos: Pixabay
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