EL UNIVERSO, EL COMERCIO, LA HORA (Ecuador)
QUITO – Incumbent Rafael Correa has been reelected to a second term as President of Ecuador, handily defeating his opponents with more than 56% of the vote to avoid the need for a runoff.
By early Monday, with more than 11 million ballots cast, the National Electoral Council in Ecuador reported that Correa had garnered 56.7% of the votes, followed by Guillermo Lasso with 23.3% and Lucio Gutiérrez with 6.6%.
Correa, 49, appeared in the Palace of Carondelet in the capital, Quito, after his victory was assured, thanking his supporters for backing his so-called Revolución Ciudadana (Citizen’s Revolution), Alianza PAIS that looks to implement a sort of 21st century brand of socialism. “All the highways and hospitals are for everyone. We have never failed you,” he said. “With all the mistakes we could make, let the Ecuadorian people be assured that in this revolution, they will rule.”
A file photo of Correa (municipio pinas)
El Universo reports that he referred to comments he made against the gay and lesbian community that were criticized during his last term, and reiterated his apologies insisting he will fight against stereotypes.
Correa said that his “governmental arms” are also open to those who don’t necessarily agree with his ideology.
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According to La Hora, He dedicated his victory to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez — who has just returned home after two months of cancer treatment in Cuba — and called on Latin America to unite to counter a “very cruel neo-liberal globalization.”
No major irregularities were reported, with some 76,000 military and police — and 320 international observers — on hand at polling places to ensure free voting.
