Ecuador’s President Noboa: Commitment to Crime Fight, Trade Openness, and Energy Reform
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has been inaugurated, signaling a strong commitment to fighting organized crime, enhancing trade openness, and transforming the energy sector. His election reflected a decisive victory over Luisa González. Notably, Noboa criticized former governments for corruption while promising transparency and support for youth.
Ecuador’s newly inaugurated President Daniel Noboa, alongside Vice President Maria Jose Pinto, officially began their term on May 24, 2025. Noboa outlined a continued commitment to significant policies, launching a “war” against organized crime, pushing for trade openness, attracting investment, and transforming the energy sector. In the recent elections, he secured a significant victory against candidate Luisa González, garnering 55.63% of the valid votes. González has raised allegations of fraud but has yet to provide substantial evidence for her claims.
In his inauguration address, Noboa did not hold back in criticizing previous governments, including those from the opposition. He accused them of squandering economic opportunities through a suite of corrupt practices and specifically targeting opponents. “This country has had governments that persecuted people,” he stated, emphasizing his own history of political persecution alongside his vice president.
The fight against organized crime remains a focal point for Noboa, who began this initiative earlier in his administration. He recognizes the ongoing violence posed by criminal gangs and stated, “I know that my duty is not to distance myself from a conflict because it has never been resolved before.” His remarks reflect his commitment to engaging directly with the challenges at hand, a theme he refers to as the “New Ecuador.”
Noboa’s administration plans to support the Armed Forces and police, reflected in a controversial bill granting the president authority to issue early pardons to officers involved in investigations of alleged human rights abuses committed during operations against gangs. This decision has drawn scrutiny given Ecuador’s current security challenges.
Coming from one of Ecuador’s affluent families, Noboa pledged to lead his administration with transparency while actively combating corruption. He criticized historical oligarchies that have profited at the state’s expense. He expressed a determination to alter the status quo for the betterment of youth and families across the nation.
To stimulate economic growth, Noboa emphasized expanding trade openness to enhance exports and attract foreign investments, especially as the country grapples with an economy that contracted by 2% in the previous year. The president aims to create more job opportunities, especially for youth, by supporting initiatives such as loans and internships to retain talent in Ecuador rather than seeing them emigrate.
On the energy front, Noboa intends to introduce a significant Nuclear Energy Law to diversify the energy sector, hoping to avoid past crises that resulted in severe electricity rationing. Notably, the country faced over two months of rationing that included blackouts lasting up to fourteen hours daily due to drought-related impacts on hydroelectric outputs.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa’s inauguration marks a pivotal moment for Ecuador, focusing on a strong stance against crime, heightened investment opportunities, and energy sector reform. His administration’s commitment to transparency and youth support indicates a multifaceted approach to revitalizing the nation’s economy while addressing safety and governance issues. The next term will undoubtedly test Noboa’s pledges amidst significant national challenges.
Original Source: efe.com
