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Ecuadoreans will vote this Sunday to elect an early replacement for outgoing President Guillermo Lasso, who dissolved the legislature to avoid impeachment. The election comes just 10 days after one of the candidates, Fernando Villavicencio, was fatally shot, highlighting a worsening security situation. The new president will serve until May 2025.

The top candidates are:

1. Luisa Gonzalez, a lawyer, who aims to bring back million-dollar welfare and social programs previously enacted by former President Rafael Correa. Gonzalez has denied she would pardon Correa, who was convicted of corruption.

2. Yaku Perez, an environmentalist, who wants to make agriculture the country’s economic engine and fight climate change. Perez supports bans on oil development in the Amazon and mining in the Andino forest.

3. Otto Sonnenholzner, a businessman and economist, who served as vice-president under former leader Lenin Moreno. He promises a firm hand on security and sustainable economic growth.

4. Jan Topic, a private security and telecommunications businessman, who prioritizes security and admires El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. However, he distances himself from accusations of human rights abuses.

5. Christian Zurita, Villavicencio’s replacement for the Construye party and an investigative journalist. Zurita promises to continue exposing corruption and strengthen law enforcement to fight crime.

Ecuadoreans will also elect a new legislature and decide on oil development in the Amazon and mining in the Andino forest. It remains to be seen how the recent security concerns will impact the election, as no polls have been published since Villavicencio’s killing.

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