In a historic election, Daniel Noboa, a 35-year-old heir to a banana empire, has been elected as the youngest president in the history of Ecuador. The announcement came after 90 percent of the votes were counted, and the electoral authority declared Noboa the victor. This victory was met with jubilation in the streets of Quito, where car horns blared in celebration.
Noboa’s rival, socialist candidate Luisa Gonzalez, graciously conceded defeat and extended her “profound congratulations” to Daniel Noboa, acknowledging the principles of democracy. She also assured that she would not be claiming fraud.
Read Also Eliminate Hamas, But Don’t Occupy Gaza – Biden to Israel
The election took place under the watchful eye of approximately 100,000 police and soldiers, reflecting the country’s urgent need for security due to a surge in violent crime and political assassinations that have plagued Ecuador. Both candidates had pledged to address the escalating violence as a top priority.
Daniel Noboa emerged winner
Ecuadorans voted for 10 hours without reports of violence, a notable achievement in a country grappling with a bloody drug war and a series of political assassinations, including that of a popular candidate just weeks before the election.
The main concerns of Ecuadoran voters, according to recent polls, are crime and violence, as the murder rate quadrupled in the four years leading up to 2022.
Ecuador, traditionally a peaceful nation located between major cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, has seen a dramatic rise in violence in recent years, with rival gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels competing for control. The violence has even spilled into the country’s prisons, resulting in mass riots and horrifying massacres of inmates.
In August, the violence claimed the life of journalist and presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who had been campaigning in second place in the polls. His assassination prompted a state of emergency in Ecuador, leading to heightened security for both candidates in the runoff election.
Daniel Noboa, who is the son of one of Ecuador’s wealthiest individuals and has made five unsuccessful presidential bids himself, was elected to complete the term of incumbent Guillermo Lasso, who called for a snap election to avoid potential impeachment on allegations of embezzlement. Noboa’s term will be just 16 months, after which he is eligible to run for the 2025-2029 presidential term and another one after that.
Noboa’s victory has marked a significant shift in Ecuador’s political landscape, and he faces the challenging task of addressing the country’s rising violence, unemployment, and poverty rates. With his promise of “progress for everyone” and a commitment to job creation, he is set to lead Ecuador through these trying times.
Despite his election, Daniel Noboa may face difficulties pushing through reforms in the legislature, as he lacks an absolute majority of support. Nonetheless, his election represents a historic moment for Ecuador, and many are hopeful that he can bring about positive change for the nation.
