Ecuador Elects Youngest-Ever President With Business Background.
By Caroline Ameh
History has been made in Ecuador as the nation elected a 35-year-old businessman, Mr. Daniel Noboa, with minimal political experience, as its youngest-ever president. The election results, which unfolded on Sunday, saw Mr. Noboa secure 52.1 percent of the vote, in contrast to his opponent, Luisa González, who garnered 47.9 percent of the ballots.
Mr. Noboa’s political journey commenced in 2021 when he obtained a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission. His family background is notable, as his father, Álvaro Noboa, is renowned as Ecuador’s wealthiest individual. The family’s business empire began with the cultivation and export of bananas, Ecuador’s primary crop, and has since expanded to encompass over 128 companies operating in numerous countries.
Mr. Noboa takes office at a critical juncture, with concerns regarding safety paramount in the minds of Ecuadorians, primarily due to escalating drug-trafficking-related violence. The government’s struggle to address this unrest became evident in August with the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, a prominent anti-corruption advocate.
Subsequently, a series of politicians and leaders have been targeted, leading to widespread kidnappings and explosions of car bombs in various cities, including the capital, Quito. Furthermore, prison riots have ensued, and earlier this month, seven individuals, identified as suspects in Villavicencio’s murder, were killed while in custody.
President-elect Daniel Noboa has articulated a vision centered on restoring peace to the nation, rejuvenating educational opportunities for the youth, and generating employment for those in need. He has pledged to initiate immediate efforts to “rebuild a country that has been seriously impacted by violence, corruption, and animosity.”
Ms. Luisa González, a leftist lawyer and ally of the exiled former President Rafael Correa, urged President-elect Noboa to fulfill his campaign promises.
The future of Ecuador now rests in the hands of its youngest-ever president, who brings with him a background in business and a determination to bring about positive change amid challenging circumstances.
