The right-wing leader was sworn in by Assembly President Niels Olsen Peet on Saturday at the National Assembly in Quito as a joint gesture of unity. The two raised clasped their hands before the two sat down to sway in a symbolic gesture.
Despite her accusations of electoral fraud, Noboa, 37, defeated left-wing candidate Luisa Gonzalez in the election to win a new term. He has now served a second term.
Noboa pledged to make a significant reduction in violent crime the foundation of his administration when he addressed lawmakers.
Noboa stated that the goal of reducing homicides gradually would not be negociable. We will continue to fight against drug trafficking, seize illegal ammunition, explosives, and place more of greater control in the nation’s ports, and do so.
In recent years, drug cartels, including the powerful from Mexico, have been using porous borders and weak institutions to increase their influence in Ecuador, which was once regarded as one of the more stable nations in the area.
Noboa has responded by implementing militarized crackdowns, deploying the armed forces on the streets, and strengthening security at important infrastructure centers.
The president’s security plan has drawn comparisons to El Salvador’s contentious anti-gang policies, which have been praised by some for reducing crime but which have been criticized by rights organizations for alleged abuses and mass detentions.
In the context of Ecuador’s security overhaul, Noboa has cited El Salvador, the United States, and Israel as strategic partners.
In a move that has sparked concern among opposition politicians and human rights advocates who fear a creeping militarisation and lack of oversight, his administration has also appointed Erik Prince, the founder of the private military firm Blackwater.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply