Ecuador’s President Starts New Term Over Turbulent Nation

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

QUITO (Worthy News) – Ecuador’s reelected President, Daniel Noboa, started his first full day of another term Sunday after pledging to combat rampant corruption and drug trafficking in the South American nation.

Noboa was sworn in Saturday for a four-year second term at a ceremony in Quito, the capital. President of the National Assembly Niels Olsen took Noboa’s oath of office and placed a presidential sash on him, allowing him to rule the country until May 2029.

Noboa, who is only 37, and Vice President Maria Jose Pinto, who is just two years older, face significant challenges in realizing their agenda.

In his inauguration speech, Noboa suggested his ongoing battle against corruption and drug trafficking would create a better atmosphere for private industry and international investment

However, “We are at the threshold of four more years of progress,” he told legislators.

Yet critics suggest that he will have to urgently tackle the nation’s social crisis, with more than eight thousand reported homicides in Ecuador over the last year,

Additionally, official data show that less than half the population have full-time jobs.

Noboa’s inauguration was attended by President of Colombia Gustavo Petro, President of Peru Dina Boluarte, and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.

In 2023, Noboa won a snap election. He completed the term of President Guillermo Lasso, who had dissolved Ecuador’s National Assembly and resigned to avoid impeachment over alleged mismanagement.

Noboa won a second-round runoff on April 13 against lawyer Luisa Gonzalez, and his party has control over parliament due to what observers view as complicatedpolitical alliances.

Latest Worthy News