Quito - Daniel Noboa, the scion of a business dynasty, emerged as the victor in Ecuador's presidential election on Sunday. He has pledged to revitalize the South American nation, grappling with a fragile economy and surging crime and violence.

At the age of thirty-five, Noboa, who was an unexpected contender in the early election runoff, has promised to rejuvenate the economy, generate employment opportunities for the youth, and even explore the unconventional approach of housing dangerous criminals on prison ships.

Addressing his supporters in the coastal town of Olon, Noboa declared, "Starting tomorrow, we embark on the journey to reconstruct a nation that has been deeply scarred by violence, corruption, and division. Tomorrow, Daniel Noboa commences his role as your new president."

Noboa will face the formidable task of stabilizing an economy that has been struggling since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, compelling many Ecuadorians to seek opportunities abroad. Additionally, he will need to address the escalating crime rates, including a surge in murders, robberies, and prison riots.

The surge in violence, attributed by the outgoing government to drug cartels, reached a disturbing zenith during the campaign with the tragic assassination of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was fatally shot while leaving a campaign event in Quito in August.

Noboa has expressed his belief that Ecuador possesses all the necessary elements to be a global exemplar of progress. He will have a truncated term, serving from December this year until May 2025, amounting to just 17 months in office. However, he has expressed his intention to run again in the regularly scheduled 2025 contest.

Noboa, who is set to become Ecuador's youngest-ever president, carries forward a long-standing family aspiration. He grew up accompanying his father, the banana magnate Alvaro Noboa, during the latter's multiple unsuccessful attempts to secure the presidency.

In the election, Noboa secured over 52% of the vote, while his leftist opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, garnered approximately 48%, with over 90% of the ballot boxes counted. Gonzalez graciously congratulated Noboa on his victory, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling promises to students and the elderly.

Noboa's win signifies a rejection by voters of Gonzalez's mentor, former President Rafael Correa, who has continued to exert substantial political influence despite a corruption conviction since leaving office.

Gonzalez had pledged to reinstate many of Correa's social programs, boost the economy with international reserves, and tackle rising crime.

Noboa's supporters celebrated in the streets of Guayaquil as the final vote tallies were confirmed, with many expressing the need for new leadership to address the nation's longstanding challenges.

Noboa's outreach efforts to the youth, along with Gonzalez's similar focus on young voters, appear to have resonated. Approximately a quarter of Ecuador's mandatory voting population of 13 million falls in the 18 to 29 age group.

Noboa has emphasized his commitment to balancing Ecuador's foreign debt obligations with the needs of the population and has pledged to enhance security at ports and airports, which are known hotspots for drug trafficking.

While a Noboa victory could initially be seen as positive by investors, the long-term outlook will hinge on his cabinet appointments, according to analysts.

Although polls had indicated a tight race, with several surveys placing the two candidates within the margin of error, the trend toward Noboa's victory was deemed irreversible by the National Electoral Council president, Diana Atamaint.

Notably, authorities will investigate a video on social media that purportedly shows a person marking multiple ballots in the province of Sucumbios.

Around 825 Ecuadoreans in Nicaragua, Russia, Belarus, and Israel were unable to vote due to a lack of consular representation or war, a move criticized by Correa on social media.

Outgoing President Guillermo Lasso called for the early election to avoid impeachment on charges of ignoring embezzlement warnings at a state-owned company. He has denied these allegations.

News Courtesy Reuters