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The Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Ecuador President Noboa leads march against suspended security laws
QUITO: Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa on Tuesday led a march against a decision by the constitutional court to temporarily suspend provisions in recently-passed security laws, in what critics have said is an attempt to curtail judicial independence. Noboa has said the march was intended to preserve vital efforts to combat crime gangs, but detractors say he is interfering with judicial independence and trying to pressure judges to accept all his government's reforms. The court backed the suspensions after rights groups argued the measures, including immunity for security force members investigated for misconduct, a provision obliging telephone service providers to hand over certain information and changes to banking cooperatives could conflict with citizens' rights. 'We are here to seek justice and to seek peace, we are not here to run over anyone, we follow the mandate of the people,' said Noboa, speaking into a megaphone at the march. Noboa's National Democratic Action party controls the legislature, where the three laws containing the provisions were approved in June. One billboard along the route featured the names and photos of the nine justices in the constitutional court with the text: 'These are the judges who are stealing our peace. They signed against laws that would protect us'. Noboa's spokesperson said that billboard and others were not paid for by the government. 'We are not going to permit change to be halted because of nine people who don't even show their face, who want to hide their names and their faces from society,' added Noboa, dressed in a black anti-ballistic vest over a dark T-shirt. Ecuador's constitution prevents supreme court justices from speaking publicly about cases before them. The signage increases security risks for the judges and directly affects the court's independence, the court said in a statement, also decrying changes to security provisions for its headquarters on Tuesday, which marchers passed yelling 'out corrupt judges!'. Debate on the suspended measures should take place at public hearings scheduled to begin next week, the court added. A United Nations special rapporteur for justice, Margaret Satterthwaite, has expressed concern the court could be pressured by other powers in Ecuador and said judges must be free to work without threats. Noboa has deployed the army on the streets in a bid to curb violence, while pushing measures like increased sentences for drug trafficking. - Reuters
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ecuador's President Noboa marches against suspension of security measures
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa speaks during a protest march after the country's constitutional court temporarily suspended key parts of his security laws recently passed by the legislature, in Quito, Ecuador August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro QUITO (Reuters) -Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa on Tuesday led a march against a decision by the constitutional court to temporarily suspend provisions in recently-passed security laws, in what critics have said is an attempt to curtail judicial independence. Noboa has said the march was intended to preserve vital efforts to combat crime gangs, but detractors say he is interfering with judicial independence and trying to pressure judges to accept all his government's reforms. The court backed the suspensions after rights groups argued the measures, including immunity for security force members investigated for misconduct, a provision obliging telephone service providers to hand over certain information and changes to banking cooperatives could conflict with citizens' rights. "We are here to seek justice and to seek peace, we are not here to run over anyone, we follow the mandate of the people," said Noboa, speaking into a megaphone at the march. Noboa's National Democratic Action party controls the legislature, where the three laws containing the provisions were approved in June. One billboard along the route featured the names and photos of the nine justices in the constitutional court with the text: "These are the judges who are stealing our peace. They signed against laws that would protect us". Noboa's spokesperson said that billboard and others were not paid for by the government. "We are not going to permit change to be halted because of nine people who don't even show their face, who want to hide their names and their faces from society," added Noboa, dressed in a black anti-ballistic vest over a dark T-shirt. Ecuador's constitution prevents supreme court justices from speaking publicly about cases before them. The signage increases security risks for the judges and directly affects the court's independence, the court said in a statement, also decrying changes to security provisions for its headquarters on Tuesday, which marchers passed yelling "out corrupt judges!". Debate on the suspended measures should take place at public hearings scheduled to begin next week, the court added. A United Nations special rapporteur for justice, Margaret Satterthwaite, has expressed concern the court could be pressured by other powers in Ecuador and said judges must be free to work without threats. Noboa has deployed the army on the streets in a bid to curb violence, while pushing measures like increased sentences for drug trafficking. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia,Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb, editing by Ed Osmond)
25-05-2025
- Politics
Ecuador's Noboa vows to tackle violence, boost economy and create jobs in second term
QUITO -- Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa was officially sworn in on Saturday following his reelection for another four-year term early this year. Noboa, 37, who wore a presidential sash over his chest, was sworn in alongside his Vice President María José Pinto and their terms will run until May 2029. The young president, who has become known for his fight against a surge of armed group violence in the South American country, pledged in his inauguration speech to continue to tackle corruption, drug trafficking and violent crime. He also swore to implement reforms and said he would lay 'a solid foundation for job creation and investment" by working with Ecuador's private sector. 'We are at the doorstep of four years of progress,' he said. The ceremony in the capital, Quito, was attended by U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, and many other international guests and delegates. Noboa was first elected as president in November 2023 aged 35, with little political experience. He unexpectedly entered the race and was elected to complete the term of his predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, who had dissolved the Assembly and stepped down to avoid impeachment. Noboa was re-elected on April 13 in a run-off against left-wing candidate Luisa González, who has made repeated allegations of electoral fraud. Her Citizen Revolution party, lead by former president Rafael Correa, boycotted Saturday's ceremony, even though González claims were rejected by Ecuador's electoral authority and both national and international observers. Violence and high unemployment levels remain the biggest challenges facing the president and his National Democratic Action (ADN) party, which also was able to hold the majority in the country's congress through a number of political alliances. Maintaining that majority will be crucial for Noboa in pushing through his agenda, including a crime-fighting bill marked as 'urgent' for its economic implications. The proposal has already drawn criticism from the opposition. Juan Francisco Camino, a professor at the Equinoctial Technological University, said Noboa's tight majority could easily shift the balance. 'Just one lost vote from his allies could paralyze his plans," Camino said in an interview. Asked whether Noboa might change his governing approach in this new term, Camino predicted continuity, especially with the government's focus on using state power to fight crime, which he said 'sells legitimacy.' Ecuador is one of the most dangerous countries in the region, with around 8,000 violent deaths by the end of 2024 and crime continuing to rise in 2025. Camino stressed that Noboa must 'look beyond security' and focus on rebuilding Ecuador's social fabric, especially in areas like jobs, healthcare, and education. Others said it was important to focus on root causes of violence, like lack of opportunities which often pushes young people to join criminal groups. Only 33% of Ecuadorians had full-time jobs as of late last year, with the rest working in the informal economy.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ecuador assembly elects Noboa ally as leader
Niels Olsen speaks as Ecuador's National Assembly elects him as its new president during a session, in Quito, Ecuador May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro QUITO - Ecuador's national assembly legislature on Wednesday elected Niels Olsen - a close ally of President Daniel Noboa - as its new body president, ensuring, for now, a majority for Noboa as he pushes anti-crime and economic reforms. A total of 80 legislators from Noboa's National Democratic Action (ADN) party and lawmakers from smaller political factions backed the naming of Olsen at the first meeting of the assembly members elected in a February vote. Noboa, a millennial business heir who won a full term in April by an unexpectedly wide margin - despite cries of fraud by his leftist rival - has promised to continue a crackdown on crime gangs which have stoked soaring violence, as well as boost the beleaguered economy with private investment and reforms to comply with an International Monetary Fund deal. Olsen, a 37-year-old businessman, served as tourism minister under former President Guillermo Lasso and held the same post under Noboa. He has been part of Noboa's inner circle since the latter won election in 2023 to finish out Lasso's term. "I'm here to build and not to divide," said Olsen as he accepted the two-year post, adding Ecuador needs profound change. A legislator from the leftist Citizens' Revolution party looks likely to be elected as first vice-president of the assembly. Having a close ally running assembly sessions or directing the most important committees might help Noboa's party push through banner legislation. Noboa, who will be inaugurated for his new term on May 24, has said he wants to reform the justice system to compliment widespread security operations. He has regularly questioned prosecutors and judges whose work he says is too lax on criminals. Violence has spiked in recent weeks despite security efforts, with violent deaths increasing 65% in the first quarter to 2,361, according to Interior Ministry figures. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ecuador re-elects President Daniel Noboa amid nationwide unease over crime
Daniel Noboa, the tough-on-crime firebrand president of Ecuador, was re-elected in Sunday's runoff. Noboa, running under the right-wing National Democratic Action party label, handily defeated Luisa González of the leftist Citizen Revolution Movement – the party of influential former President Rafael Correa. Ecuador's Presidential Election Goes To Runoff Between Conservative Incumbent, Leftist Lawyer According to the National Electoral Council, Noboa received about 55.8% of the vote to González's 44%. Exclusive Look Into Trump Repatriation Flight On C-17 Military Plane To Ecuador Over 90% of ballots have been tabulated, according to The Associated Press. Over 13 million people were eligible to vote – and in Ecuador, voting is compulsory. Read On The Fox News App A Miami-born heir to a large banana trade fortune, the largely politically-inexperienced Noboa emerged as the surprise winner of a 16-month presidency following a 2023 snap election to succeed former President Guillermo Lasso. The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Ecuador re-elects President Daniel Noboa amid nationwide unease over crime
