EU electoral mission rejects accusations of fraud in Ecuador's presidential runoff: Video
Ecuador's president reelect Daniel Noboa faced the herculean task of uniting his violence-struck nation Monday, after his leftist rival called his victory into question.
With almost 98 percent of the votes counted after Sunday's election, Noboa won 56 percent of the vote, against Luisa Gonzalez's weaker-than-expected 44 percent. The result appeared to be a thumping endorsement of Noboa's "iron fist" approach to drug gangs and a stinging rejection of Gonzalez's links with an exiled, populist firebrand ex-president accused of corruption.
The once-peaceful nation averaged a killing every hour at the start of the year, as cartels vied for control over cocaine routes that pass through Ecuador's ports. In the volcano-ringed capital Quito, Noboa's supporters celebrated his victory late into the night with fireworks and amped-up conveys of cars blaring infectious tecnocumbia.
US President Donald Trump was among the first to congratulate the 37-year-old president on his reelection, calling him a "great leader" and telling Ecuadorans "he will not let you down!"
Speaking to jubilant supporters in his hometown Olon, Noboa claimed a "historic victory." "A huge hug to all those Ecuadorians who always believed in this young president!" he said. "Ecuadorians have spoken. From tomorrow morning we will go to work." But the results were clouded by Gonzalez's refusal to concede defeat.
Seemingly shocked by her weak showing and perhaps the end of her dream of becoming Ecuador's first woman president, she immediately questioned the results. The pair had been virtually tied in the first round of voting. Gonzalez accused Noboa of "the most grotesque electoral fraud" and called for a recount of the ballots. She did not immediately provide evidence for her claims.
