Ecuador presidential rivals agree tough stance on crime, differ on economy

Ecuadorean presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez, wearing a bulletproof vest, speaks during a press meet after a televised debate with Ecuadorean presidential candidate Daniel Noboa ahead of an October run-off, in Quito, Ecuador October 1, 2023. REUTERS/Karen Toro

QUITO (Reuters) - Candidates vying for Ecuador's presidency agreed in a debate on Sunday on the need to beef up security in the Andean country but differed on how to improve the economy.

Leftist Luisa Gonzalez, a lawyer and protege of former president Rafael Correa and young businessman Daniel Noboa will compete in a run-off vote on Oct. 15. Gonzalez won the first round with almost 34% of the votes while Noboa took a surprise second place.