Luisa Gonzalez faces a run-off in a race marred by violence, as voters choose to end Amazon oil drilling.
By Katy Watson in Quito & Jaroslav Lukiv in LondonLeft-winger Luisa Gonzalez is leading in Ecuador's presidential election overshadowed by the assassination of one of the candidates.
With nearly 80% of the votes counted, electoral officials say she has 33%, while her closest rival Daniel Noboa, a businessman, is on 24%.The poll was combined with a referendum, in which voters chose to end oil drilling in the Amazon. The decision, supported by nearly 60% of those who voted, means the state-owned oil company will have to stop its operations in a block of Yasuní National Park, one of the world's largest biodiversity hotspots.
The area is home to hundreds of species of birds, amphibians and reptiles as well as indigenous people like the Tagaeri and Taromenani - who live in self-isolation. The outcome is a significant blow to outgoing President Guillermo Lasso, who argued revenues from oil drilling were crucial for Ecuador's economy.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gonzalez and Noboa vie for Ecuador presidencyDundee gets tax stability agreement
Read more »
Ecuador faces presidential run-off between ex-president’s ally and tycoon’s sonNo candidate received enough support to be declared the winner.
Read more »
Ecuador faces presidential run-off between ex-president’s ally and tycoon’s sonNo candidate received enough support to be declared the winner.
Read more »
Accrington's 'confusing and frustrating' one-way system under review'Every route into Accrington leads away from the town centre'
Read more »