Ecuadorians are electing a new president. The choice is between a banana empire heir and an attorney

By REGINA GARCIA CANO and GONZALO SOLANO
Associated Press

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadorians are waiting for the results of a runoff presidential election amid an atmosphere of unprecedented violence on the streets and within prisons. People are demanding safety from their next president. Their options Sunday were an heir to a banana empire against an attorney. The election comes as more Ecuadorians become victims of the drug-related violence that erupted roughly three years ago and intensified in August. Whoever wins will govern only through May 2025. That’s what remains of the tenure of President Guillermo Lasso. He cut his term short when he dissolved the National Assembly in May amid impeachment proceedings against him.