Ecuadorian presidential candidate tours U.S. ahead of run-off elections

New York, February 18 (RHC)-- The candidate to the Presidency of Ecuador for the opposition alliance Union for Hope (Unes), Andres Arauz, described on Wednesday as positive the working tour he made in the United States.

In a message posted on his Twitter social network account, the Ecuadorian politician said he was happy "about our visit to the United States."  "We talked with our brothers and sisters, with media and businessmen, about the progressive unity project, which is going to recover the future," he commented.

Arauz, winner of the elections held last February 7 with 32.70 percent of the votes, showed his confidence in winning in the second round on April 11, since he affirmed that on that date "hope in Ecuador" will be reborn.

The Unes candidate was last Tuesday and Wednesday in the United States, where he met with Ecuadorians living in that country, with representatives of international corporations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in addition to attending interviews with various media.

Arauz is waiting for an opponent for the second round. His rival will be between banker Guillermo Lasso, of the CREO-PSC alliance, and Yaku Pérez, of the indigenous Pachakutik party, technically tied in second place with 19.66 and 19.61 percent of the votes cast, respectively, according to the preliminary official count.