With 52.3% of the vote, the youngest elector in Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, 35 years old, has emerged victorious in the presidential race. His tenure will be short, about 17 months, serving as a stopgap until the next election in May 2025.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the last election are to blame for this shortened term. Early elections were called when outgoing President Guillermo Laso dissolved the legislature in the midst of an impeachment trial. Noboa is still qualified to run in 2025–2029 for president if he so desires.
For years, Ecuador has been battling drug gangs, which have the potential to grow much more problematic. August’s sad killing of presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio clouded the campaign.
To address these issues, Noboa has suggested a multipronged approach that includes sending dangerous offenders to prison ships off the coast of the country in order to break up prison gangs that are instigating domestic strife. He also stresses the significance of strengthening border and port security in Ecuador in order to obstruct crucial routes used by drug traffickers.
Installing cutting-edge scanning equipment to improve the interception of cocaine shipments is one of his options. Furthermore, he has pledged to increase job possibilities in Ecuador—a matter that the voters find extremely important.
