Ecuador experienced a decisive moment last week with the presidential runoff between Daniel Noboa and Luisa González. However, a troubling incident in Venezuela has cast a shadow over this democratic process.
According to Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry, armed men, allegedly from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), seized unused electoral materials in Caracas.
This incident, which has sparked diplomatic tensions, raises serious concerns about transparency and regional stability. What’s behind this theft, and what does it mean for Ecuadorian democracy?
An Unprecedented Assault in Caracas.
On April 17, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing an alarming event. Seven packages containing electoral material, transported by DHL in Caracas, were intercepted by armed individuals.
These individuals, traveling in unmarked vehicles, identified themselves as members of SEBIN—the feared intelligence agency of Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The stolen material included unused electoral records meant to be returned after the overseas voting process.
The theft occurred in a climate of heightened tension. Ecuador’s elections, marked by a tight race between Noboa (National Democratic Action) and González (Citizen Revolution), ended with Noboa securing reelection with 55% of the vote.
However, accusations of irregularities quickly surfaced, particularly from the correísmo movement, which demanded a recount.
Venezuela’s Response: Denials and Counterattacks.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil dismissed Ecuador’s complaint as “false” and a “diplomatic hoax” meant to cover up a supposed “electoral failure.” According to Gil, the incident was a distraction from the “moral defeat” of Noboa’s government.
Such rhetoric is nothing new; Maduro’s regime has long faced international criticism for its history of electoral manipulation and repression.
For his part, Nicolás Maduro didn’t hold back. Just days earlier, on April 14, he branded Ecuador’s elections as a “horrific fraud” and called Noboa a “dictator,” further fueling the war of words. These remarks reflect the deep animosity between the governments of Ecuador and Venezuela, rooted in Noboa’s refusal to align with the Bolivarian axis.
Electoral Context: A Democracy Under Pressure.
Ecuador’s runoff was closely watched. More than 13.7 million Ecuadorians went to the polls to choose between Noboa, seeking to consolidate his mandate, and González, backed by former president Rafael Correa.
The campaign was riddled with mutual accusations: Noboa pointed to alleged ties between correísmo and drug trafficking, while González accused the president of violating international treaties and evading taxes.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) implemented strict security measures. The ballots, printed by the Military Geographic Institute, featured reactive inks and anti-copying elements.
Nevertheless, incidents such as the theft in Venezuela and reports of pre-marked ballots in Ecuador (in locations like Vinces and Catamayo) fueled suspicions of fraud.
Additionally, the CNE issued notices to 71 individuals for photographing their ballots—a prohibited practice carrying fines of up to USD 32,900. These events highlight the vulnerabilities of an electoral system under pressure both internally and externally.
A Call for Vigilance.
The theft of electoral material in Venezuela is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by young democracies. Ecuador, with its recent history of political instability, cannot afford to lower its guard.
Now reelected, Daniel Noboa has the opportunity to prove that his victory is not only legitimate but can also lay the foundation for a stronger Ecuador. However, complacency would be a fatal mistake.
The radical left, with its populist rhetoric and allies in Caracas, will not rest. The question is not whether they will try again, but when. Ecuador’s democracy, fragile yet resilient, must be ready.
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