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Under the shadows of surging drug violence, Ecuadorians will pick their next president
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On the eve of the vote, a state of emergency was declared to fight the alarming rise in crime
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Heavy security can be seen in all parts of the country, and ballot preparation has been no different
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Even Ecuador's borders have been closed for three days. This election has been described as the battle of the security hawk and charismatic leftist
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and pollsters say either could win. Daniel Noboa, the 37-year-old business heir and current leader
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just narrowly won the first round in February. Since being in power, he has deployed military to the streets
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and even invited the US to send special forces. This Sunday will remind us that this country has been able to get out of its hole
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that it has been able to overcome its problems. Ecuador already has a president and its fighter That fighter is Daniel Noboa His rival Luisa Gonzalez is bidding to become the country first woman president She is the 47 protege of President Rafael Correra and vows to protect poor Ecuadorians
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Her win could signal a sharp shift to the left. This is the game
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continue with abandonment, with lies, with insecurity or change for the dignity of a people who fight
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for our right to live safely, to have security in our streets
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This campaign has been dominated by anger over cartel violence that has transformed Ecuador from one of the safest countries
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in Latin America to the most deadly. This restaurant worker won't show her face because she fears for her life
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She says her family can't go outside anymore because of assaults and robberies
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Insecurity is not the only issue ailing Ecuador's economy. Whoever wins will have to reckon with deep social inequality, unemployment and an energy crisis