Businessman Daniel Noboa has made history by becoming the youngest president in Ecuador’s history at the age of 35. After winning Sunday’s election with 52.3% of the vote, Noboa emerged victorious over his opponent, Luisa González, who conceded defeat and congratulated him on his win.
Noboa, a member of the National Democratic Action party, is the son of Álvaro Noboa, a five-time unsuccessful presidential candidate. However, Daniel Noboa’s term in office will be relatively short, lasting only 17 months until May 2025. This is due to the fact that the current election was triggered early when outgoing President Guillermo Lasso dissolved parliament amid an impeachment trial. Nevertheless, Noboa has the option to run again for the 2025-2029 presidential term if he chooses to do so.
In his victory speech, the newly elected president addressed his supporters, stating, “Tomorrow we start work for this new Ecuador, we start working to rebuild a country seriously battered by violence, by corruption, and by hate.” Noboa’s election comes at a time when Ecuador is grappling with a wave of violence, including an increase in gang violence and a rise in violent crime. The presidential campaign itself was marred by the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August. Villavicencio, a journalist, had been actively campaigning against corruption.
To address these pressing issues, Noboa has proposed several measures. He intends to tackle the problem of prison gangs by relocating some of Ecuador’s most hardened criminals to prison ships off the Ecuadorean coast. This move aims to disrupt the deadly warfare that has plagued the country’s jails. Additionally, Noboa plans to enhance security at Ecuador’s borders and ports to disrupt key drug-trafficking routes. He suggests the installation of scanners to intercept more shipments of cocaine, as Ecuador has become a hub for drug gangs due to its geographical location between Colombia and Peru, the top two producers of cocaine in the world.
Furthermore, Noboa aims to boost employment opportunities in Ecuador, appealing to voters with promises of economic growth and job creation.
The election of Daniel Noboa as Ecuador’s youngest president brings hope for a brighter future, as he sets out to address the challenges of violence, corruption, and economic development. The nation eagerly awaits the implementation of his proposed measures and the positive changes they may bring.