Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared winner of election

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election on Sunday, according to preliminary data from the country’s electoral council, defeating leftist lawyer Luisa González in a race overshadowed by drug-fueled violence that has consumed the once-peaceful South American country.

With 90% of the ballots counted, the trend in favor of Noboa is irreversible and he is considered the winner, National Electoral Council president Diana Atamaint said at a press conference.

Noboa has made fighting crime and economic revitalization two of his main goals—summed up in the slogan “New Ecuador”—as he faces, among other challenges, violence by criminal groups and an energy crisis that has caused constant blackouts in the country.

Voters, who cast their ballots earlier Sunday, overwhelmingly told CNN that security was their main concern.

“Tranquility … is the most important thing for the country because there is a lot of insecurity,” one voter said.

“Security is in pieces,” another voter said, adding that she hopes whoever wins will keep their promise to tackle violence.