Ecuador Elects Young Elite as President, Faces Daunting Task to Tackle Drug Violence
QUITO, Ecuador – Guillermo Noboa, a 35-year-old member of Ecuador’s elite, has made history by winning the country’s presidential election on his first attempt. Noboa’s victory comes at a critical juncture as Ecuador grapples with a surge in drug-related violence. The new president now faces the daunting task of restoring safety and security to the nation.
The rise in drug violence has left Ecuadorians living in fear, with everyday life marred by killings, kidnappings, and robberies. Candidates in the election were urged by voters to prioritize tackling this issue. Noboa’s proposals to combat drug violence have been varied, ranging from the idea of using ships as floating jails for violent criminals to promising more resources for the police.
However, experts warn that addressing Ecuador’s security crisis within Noboa’s truncated term poses a significant challenge. Will Freeman, a fellow on Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, believes that even the best-equipped president would struggle to reverse the country’s security crisis in just 18 months. Freeman argues that Noboa’s proposals on security have been erratic, giving the impression of improvisation.
Noboa’s term will only last until May 2025, taking over from his predecessor who cut his own term short amidst impeachment proceedings. With nearly all votes counted, Noboa secured just over 52% of the vote, defeating leftist lawyer Luisa González, an ally of exiled former President Rafael Correa, who conceded defeat and called on Noboa to fulfill his campaign promises.
Noboa, in his victory speech, expressed his gratitude to the Ecuadorian people for believing in his improbable political project. He pledged to prioritize restoring peace to the country, providing education to the youth, and creating employment opportunities. Noboa acknowledged the challenges posed by violence, corruption, and hatred, vowing to rebuild Ecuador.
The security crisis in Ecuador was laid bare with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in August, along with the killings and kidnappings of other political leaders. The country has also witnessed car bombings and prison riots. These acts of violence are closely tied to the trafficking of cocaine from neighboring Colombia and Peru, with Mexican, Colombian, and Balkan cartels operating in Ecuador with the assistance of local criminal gangs.
The younger Noboa has made significant strides in his professional career, starting an event organizing company at 18 and later joining his father’s business conglomerate, which has operations in numerous countries. Despite his family’s wealth and influence, Noboa’s party will not have enough seats in the National Assembly, making garnering support from opposing lawmakers essential to avoiding governance difficulties.
Noboa’s predecessor, former banker Lasso, faced numerous challenges during his term, including clashes with lawmakers and a significant increase in violent deaths. Under Lasso’s leadership, violent deaths reached a record high, with the number in 2022 double that of the previous year. The rise in violence can be attributed to drug trafficking activities in Ecuador, which have attracted various international cartels.
As the new president assumes office, the expectations of the Ecuadorian people are high. They hope for a change that will prioritize their safety and well-being. However, some citizens remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the upcoming administration, given the limited time frame and challenges posed by the National Assembly’s structure.
In conclusion, Guillermo Noboa’s election as Ecuador’s president ushers in a new era of leadership as the country seeks solutions to its escalating drug violence. Noboa faces a myriad of challenges and will need to implement effective measures to tackle the security crisis and restore peace. The next few years will be critical in determining the success of his administration and the future of Ecuador.
