QUITO—Socialist candidate Lenin Moreno on Monday celebrated victory in Ecuador’s presidential election, bucking a shift to the right in South America, but his conservative challenger demanded a recount as supporters took to the streets in protest.
It was a boost for the struggling leftist movement in South America after right-leaning governments recently came to power in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru as a commodities boom ended, economies flagged and corruption scandals grew.
The region’s high-profile Socialist leader, President Nicolas Maduro of crisis-hit Venezuela, congratulated Moreno profusely on Twitter, as did Bolivian President Evo Morales.
“Congratulations Ecuador, the citizen’s revolution has triumphed!” said Maduro, as did much of his cabinet.
“21st century Socialism always triumphs,” tweeted Morales. “Congratulations brother @Lenin!”
Lasso had promised to denounce the embattled Maduro, who foes say has turned his country into a dictatorship.
