Inheritance of Banana Empire Propels Daniel Noboa to Victory in Ecuador’s Contentious Presidential Election

Daniel Noboa, a political neophyte and the scion of a fortune rooted in the banana industry, has emerged as the winner in Ecuador’s tumultuous presidential runoff election, which was marred by an unprecedented level of violence, including the assassination of a candidate.

Electoral authorities reported that with approximately 96% of the ballots tallied, Noboa secured 52.2% of the popular vote, while his opponent, Luisa González, a leftist attorney and confidant of exiled former President Rafael Correa, garnered 47.8%. In a concession speech delivered to her supporters on Sunday night, González indicated her intention to call and congratulate Noboa.

At 35 years old, Noboa will assume leadership of Ecuador during an era beset by unparalleled violence, which has raised safety concerns among Ecuadorians, forcing them to remain vigilant and restrict their outdoor activities. This climate of insecurity had its inception roughly three years ago but escalated sharply with the killing of Fernando Villavicencio on August 9, as he departed a campaign event.

Daniel Noboa’s entry into politics was in 2021 when he won a seat in Ecuador’s National Assembly and presided over its Economic Development Commission. Educated in the United States, Noboa founded an event planning business at the age of 18 before joining the family business, Noboa Corp., where he assumed various managerial roles in shipping, logistics, and commerce.

His father, Álvaro Noboa, is Ecuador’s wealthiest individual, with a business empire that began with banana cultivation and exportation—Ecuador’s primary agricultural product—and has since diversified to include more than 128 corporations across multiple countries. Álvaro Noboa was a perennial presidential candidate, having made five unsuccessful bids for the office.

Daniel Noboa’s term will conclude in May 2025, fulfilling the remaining period of his predecessor, Guillermo Lasso. Lasso terminated his term prematurely by dissolving the National Assembly in May amid impeachment procedures initiated against him over alleged contractual irregularities with a state-owned entity. Lasso, a conservative and former banker, had frequent confrontations with lawmakers since his 2021 election and opted not to participate in the special election. On the day of the vote, Lasso urged Ecuadorians to focus on the long-term welfare of their families and country, advocating for the rejection of demagoguery and authoritarianism.

During Lasso’s administration, Ecuador experienced a surge in violent fatalities, with the count reaching 4,600 in 2022, a record high and twice the previous year’s total. The National Police recorded 3,568 incidents of violent death in the first half of 2023 alone. The spike has been attributed to the influence of drug cartels from Mexico, Colombia, and the Balkans, which have established operations in Ecuador in collaboration with local criminal syndicates.

Julio Ricaurte, a 59-year-old engineer, expressed skepticism about the election’s impact, citing both the short timeframe the incoming president has to effect change and the obstructive nature of the National Assembly.

In the initial round of elections on August 22, both Noboa and González advanced to the runoff, outpacing a field of six additional contenders. The candidate replacing the slain Villavicencio finished in third place.

Noboa, who voted in Olón, a coastal town in central Ecuador, was heavily guarded by a combination of military, police, and private security personnel, and wore a bulletproof vest for protection. “The trend is irreversible, and today, we commence the construction of a new Ecuador,” he declared at the polling station.

González, initially a relative unknown, gained prominence when Correa’s party nominated her as its presidential candidate. Having held various governmental roles during Correa’s tenure, she served as a legislator from 2021 until May of this year. Although she initially indicated Correa would serve as her advisor, González later distanced herself somewhat to appeal to voters resistant to the former president, who was convicted of corruption in 2020 and has lived in exile in Belgium since 2017.

On Election Day, Gen. César Zapata, the National Police Commander, reported that two alleged explosive devices found outside of Quito were investigated and found to be false alarms. Furthermore, 174 individuals were arrested for violating an Election Day prohibition on alcohol sales.

Rosa Amaguaña, a 62-year-old vendor of fruits and vegetables, highlighted that the incoming president’s first task must be addressing the country’s pressing safety concerns. “I’m optimistic that change is possible. The next president needs to make at least some small improvements,” Amaguaña noted.

Reporting was contributed by Garcia Cano from Caracas, Venezuela.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ecuador Presidential Election

More about Ecuador Presidential Election

• Ecuador Presidential Election Results
• Profile of Daniel Noboa
• Profile of Luisa González
• History of Violence in Ecuador
• Guillermo Lasso’s Term and Resignation
• Role of Drug Cartels in Ecuador
• Ecuador’s National Assembly and Its Challenges
• Public Reaction to Ecuador’s Election
• Security Measures During Ecuador’s Presidential Election
• Ecuador’s Electoral Commission and Voting Process