Quito mayoral race heats up as Mayor Pabel Muñoz backs former mayor Jorge Yunda

In a televised interview on 10 June, Quito’s incumbent mayor Pabel Muñoz said former mayor Jorge Yunda would be the candidate representing the officialist ADN movement in the 2026 municipal election. Muñoz stated, “Le digo categóricamente… la candidatura de Jorge Yunda es la verdadera y oficial candidatura que tiene el Gobierno.”

Yunda replied with a silent video posted to his social‑media accounts, showing him watching Muñoz’s interview, reacting with surprise and a gesture of rejection while holding a coffee mug. The clip quickly went viral on X, sparking a mix of support and criticism from users.

The exchange marks the early stage of the campaign ahead of the scheduled election on 29 November 2026, with candidate registration slated for August. Both politicians now feature prominently among the possible contenders for Quito’s mayoralty, fueling debate over future municipal leadership.