Ecuador goes to the polls amid rise in drug-related gang violence

Voters who have become victims of crime wave linked to cocaine trade will determine outcome of presidential election

Ecuadorians are voting in a presidential election that has shaped up to be a repeat of the 2023 race, when they chose a young, conservative millionaire over the former leftist president's protege.

Luisa Gonzalez and the incumbent, Daniel Noboa, are the clear frontrunners in the pool of 16 candidates. All have promised to reduce the widespread crime that pushed the country into an unnerving new normal four years ago.