<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The General Union of Workers (UGT) has expressed its "concern" about the "political landscape" that is consolidating in Ecuador after last Sunday's elections, "marked by deep social polarization, the militarization of the country, and the growing restriction of fundamental rights."</strong></h4> Since coming to power, according to the union in a statement, President Daniel Noboa's administration "has promoted a policy of repression of social conflict, resorting to a state of emergency, the militarization of the streets, and the criminalization of protest." This strategy, it continued, "far from resolving the underlying problems facing the country, has served to justify the systematic violation of fundamental rights, including labor and union rights." According to the UGT, Ecuador has been ranked in the International Trade Union Confederation's (ITUC) 2024 Global Rights Index as "one of the ten worst countries in the world for the working class, reflecting a serious lack of guarantees regarding freedom of association, the right to strike, and collective bargaining." The report notes with particular concern the arbitrary arrests, the repression of protests, and the violence against trade unionists, "incompatible with any democratic system that aspires to protect its working class." "The ITUC has publicly denounced the authoritarian drift the country is experiencing and has emphasized that labor rights cannot be sacrificed under any circumstances, not even in emergency situations," the UGT warned. The lack of social dialogue, the weakening of unions, and the criminalization of protest "represent a direct attack on the pillars of democracy and the dignity of workers," it added. In this electoral context, the UGT highlighted the accusations of electoral fraud by the opposition, led by Luisa González, as well as by various organizations such as CELAC Social. "These accusations come at a time when polls have placed both candidates in a dead heat since the first round of the presidential elections last February," the union stated. Therefore, the UGT insisted on "the urgent need" for the new government of Daniel Noboa to guarantee full respect for the fundamental ILO conventions, reestablish channels of dialogue with union organizations, and end the repression and criminalization of social protest. The UGT also highlighted "the crucial role played by voting abroad, especially by the Ecuadorian community residing in Spain." “With more than 400,000 people originally from Ecuador living in our country, their participation in the elections represents not only a democratic exercise, but also a clear manifestation of the political and civic commitment of a diaspora that continues to be an active part of the social and political life of their country of origin,” he continued. “Migrant workers, often exposed to precarious conditions, also deserve to be heard and protected,” he stated. With a voter turnout of 83.7 percent, Noboa won the second round of the presidential elections with 56 percent of the votes, allowing her to remain in office, which she is expected to hold in 2023. Her rival, the Correísta Luisa González Haya, who obtained 44 percent of the votes, has denounced electoral fraud. The elections took place after Noboa declared a state of emergency and amid a climate of violence and polarization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated Daniel Noboa on Monday for his victory in the second round of the presidential elections, "as well as the Ecuadorian people for their democratic participation in the second round of elections." "Spain celebrates the peaceful conduct" of the electoral process, "which included the presence of international observation missions and demonstrated the civic commitment of Ecuadorian citizens to democracy," it continued. According to the Ecuadorian Embassy in Madrid, more than 87,000 Ecuadorians attended the 19 polling stations set up in Spain, representing "an estimated 46% national turnout, a historic record that demonstrates patriotism and love for Ecuador." A total of 189,654 Ecuadorians residing in Spain were eligible to vote in the second round of the elections to elect the presidential candidate for the 2025-2029 term.
