QUITO (Reuters) – Daniel Noboa, the son of a businessman who made five unsuccessful attempts to become president of Ecuador, hopes to fulfill his family’s ambition by running an employment-focused campaign for the presidency. The 35-year-old native of Guayaquil will compete against Luisa Gonzalez, a protégé of former President Rafael Correa, in the upcoming election on Sunday.
Gonzalez secured 34% of the votes to win the August first round, while Noboa surprisingly came in second with 23% of the votes. Polls indicate that the second round will be a closely contested battle between the two candidates.
The campaign has been marred by violence and threats against candidates, including the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, an anti-corruption advocate, who was shot and killed after a rally. The suspects involved in the case were subsequently killed as well.
“Ecuadoreans, thank you for having the courage to be part of this new project for life,” Noboa expressed during a recent debate. “The future will triumph over the past, and hope will prevail over hate.”
Noboa has distanced himself from his father’s populist rhetoric and instead focused on proposals to attract foreign investment and develop Ecuador’s business sector, which have received positive reception from investors.
Additionally, Noboa has promised to prioritize job creation, particularly for young people, and has actively campaigned at universities. Approximately a quarter of Ecuador’s voters are 29 years old or younger.
Ecuador’s economy has struggled to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a surge in crime, which outgoing President Guillermo Lasso attributes to conflicts between drug-trafficking organizations, and a significant increase in emigration.
Noboa has pledged to boost employment by investing in strategic sectors and providing vocational training for job seekers.
“We want to revitalize politics, and Noboa is prepared and represents the youth. It’s evident that he desires something different for the country,” remarked Janeth Tayo, a 46-year-old law office assistant in Sangolqui near Quito. “We trust him and his intentions.”
Noboa left his management role at his family’s corporation to enter politics and successfully won a legislature seat in 2021.
Furthermore, he has vowed to establish a new intelligence unit to combat gangs, provide security forces with advanced weaponry, and incarcerate the most dangerous criminals on prison ships at sea.
Noboa, a married father of two, frequently appears in social media videos where he dances, sings, or DJs at his political rallies.
“If things were good, I would be relaxed at home, watching the sunset with my dogs instead of being in a political race,” Noboa shared with local media in August. “My dream is to contribute to the betterment of the country.”
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
