Daniel Noboa was sworn in as Ecuador’s President, promising a strong fight against crime, enhanced trade policies, and energy sector reforms while aiming to tackle corruption and create jobs for youth.
On Saturday, May 24th, Daniel Noboa and Maria Jose Pinto were officially sworn in as Ecuador’s President and Vice President for the 2025-2029 term. Noboa has pledged to maintain his previous administration’s policies, emphasizing a “war” on organized crime, trade openness, and significant investment in the country’s energy sector.
In his inaugural speech, Noboa celebrated his election victory over opposition candidate Luisa González – scoring 55.63% of valid votes. González remains unconvinced of these results, claiming fraud, although she has yet to provide any solid proof. Noboa didn’t hold back in addressing former governments, accusing them of wasting the nation’s economic potential and targeting political adversaries, including himself.
“This country has had governments that persecuted people, and today it has a president and a vice president who were persecuted and who are now authorities,” he stated, highlighting his administration’s journey.
Noboa reiterated his commitment to continuing a strong stance against criminal gangs, which have fueled rising violence since he took office in January 2024. “I know that my duty is not to distance myself from a conflict because it has never been resolved before… That is not me, that is not my DNA,” he emphasized, reinforcing the mission of his National Democratic Action party and the government’s tag line: “New Ecuador.”
Noboa also offered support to the military and police in their ongoing battle against gangs. Controversially, he has proposed legislation allowing early pardons for officers facing inquiries into alleged misconduct or human rights breaches related to the “internal armed conflict.”
Despite his affluent background, Noboa insists his government will prioritize transparency and anti-corruption. He vowed to challenge the long-standing influence of oligarchies and criminal enterprises that hinder the growth of Ecuador’s youth. “I will defraud the oligarchies that have always enriched themselves at the expense of the state and all those mafias that have affected the growth of young people and Ecuadorian families,” he asserted.
Highlighting the importance of trade, Noboa aims to enhance Ecuador’s economic landscape through increased exports and foreign investments. He points to the need for job creation, particularly for the young population, whom he promises continued support with loans, internships, and other initiatives to retain talent in Ecuador rather than see them emigrate.
Addressing energy matters, Noboa acknowledges the necessity of diversifying the sector to mitigate crises like the severe drought that caused earlier electricity rationings. He announced plans to introduce legislation focused on nuclear energy as a potential future avenue for the country’s energy needs.
Additionally, he seeks to stimulate natural gas production in the Gulf of Guayaquil with public-private partnerships and foreign investment. Noboa also noted that 74 countries participated in the inauguration, reflecting international confidence in investing in Ecuador’s clear legal framework and security.
Among those in attendance were Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Peru’s President Dina Boluarte, both neighboring leaders sharing a border with Ecuador. This reception of high-level visitors points towards building regional alliances as Noboa steps into his new role.
In summary, President Daniel Noboa is reaffirming his commitment to continuing a tough campaign against organized crime while also promoting trade openness and investment in Ecuador. He aims to address past governmental corruption and prioritize transparency in his administration. Noboa hopes to create jobs and deepen energy diversification, marking yet another term with significant aspirations to boost the economy and solidify the nation’s security amid ongoing challenges.
Original Source: efe.com
