Daniel Noboa, the 35-year-old scion of a banana fortune, assumed the presidency of Ecuador on Thursday, inheriting leadership amid a violent struggle against drug cartels.
‘You are sworn in as president,’ the head of the national assembly, Henry Kronfle, declared during the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
Having secured victory in October on a promise to restore peace, Noboa now succeeds Guillermo Lasso, the leader who chose snap elections as a strategic move to sidestep potential impeachment.His tenure is limited to just 18 months, covering the remainder of Lasso’s term.
Once a tranquil buffer between Colombian and Peruvian cocaine hubs, Ecuador has witnessed a surge in violence, with rival gangs connected to Mexican and Colombian cartels competing for dominance in recent years.
The Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime indicates that, so far this year, drug-related violence has claimed the lives of around 3,600 individuals.
Tragedy struck the election with the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, a beloved presidential candidate, who was shot dead after a rally preceding the first round.
Read also: Ecuador Elects Youngest-Ever President, Noboa Amid Crisis
Santiago Cahuasqui, a political scientist from SEK International University, points out that Noboa’s government is “structurally weak” owing to his lack of political experience and parliamentary backing.
This government will have to be ‘highly pragmatic and realistic regarding its capabilities and objectives so that it does not generate more frustration for Ecuadorians,’ he added.
Noboa has said he will implement a state of emergency, suspend some citizen rights such as freedom of movement, and deploy the military to the streets.
Throughout his campaign, he advocated for the creation of offshore prisons on barges as a means of isolating the most violent inmates.
Born in the port city of Guayaquil, Noboa inherited his billionaire father Alvaro’s banana empire and is known for his expertise in fine wines and musical talents.
His father, who did not attend the ceremony, faced five unsuccessful attempts in his quest for the presidency.
Noboa’s academic credentials include a business administration degree from New York University, along with three master’s degrees from Harvard, Northwestern, and George Washington universities.
Early in life, at 18, he founded an events company of his own before eventually becoming part of the Noboa family business.
The National Democratic Action alliance, formed by Noboa, managed to win just 17 parliamentary seats out of 137 in the October election.
On Friday, he forged an alliance with the leftist movement of former president Rafael Correa and the right-wing Social Christian Party, aiming to establish a majority for key political appointments post the October election.