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Ecuador’s vice-president, Verónica Abad, has made serious allegations against President Daniel Noboa, accusing him of undermining democratic principles by leveraging state resources to gain an undue advantage in the recent runoff election. Noboa, who previously shared a political alliance with Abad during their joint campaign in the snap election of 2023, narrowly triumphed over leftist opponent Luisa González in the first round, but won decisively in the runoff.
Abad contended that even though she does not support claims of electoral fraud, the election lacked fairness due to Noboa’s decision to remain in office while campaigning, which is contrary to the constitutional stipulations.
Once close collaborators, the relationship between Abad and Noboa soured prior to their assumption of office, leading to Abad asserting that Noboa has made deliberate efforts to marginalize her, which she characterizes as “gender-based political violence.”
Abad has expressed confusion over the abrupt disintegration of their partnership, noting Noboa’s unusual choice to send her to Israel on a peace mission shortly after their fallout — a move she described as both unexpected and illogical given the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In addition to the peace envoy role, Noboa later appointed Abad as the chargé d’affaires in Turkey, a development she believes was part of a broader strategy to prevent her from assuming the presidency during the ongoing campaign.
Despite Noboa’s constitutional violation by not resigning during the electoral process, the elections proceeded as authorized by Ecuador’s electoral authorities. After a close first round, Noboa emerged victorious in the runoff with a surprising lead of nearly 1.2 million votes, a result that defied pre-election polling predictions.
In the wake of the election, González has called for a recount, though observer missions from the European Union and the Organization of American States noted an “imbalance” in electoral conditions but found no evidence of fraud.
Leading up to the second round, Noboa unveiled a substantial aid package amounting to $560 million, targeting various demographic groups, including police, military, farmers, and young adults. Political analyst Luis C. Córdova-Alarcón suggested that this financial strategy reflects a clientelist approach aimed at consolidating votes from critical social segments.
Córdova-Alarcón pointed to two additional factors contributing to Noboa’s victory. The first is the shadow of Rafael Correa’s decade-long presidency, which, despite fostering social advancements, was marred by corruption and authoritarian tendencies. The second is the recent surge in violence across what was previously one of Latin America’s safest nations, exacerbated by a growing homicide rate and Noboa’s ineffective combat against drug-related issues.
Amid claims of human rights violations and an authoritarian approach, observers have voiced growing concerns regarding Noboa’s adherence to democratic norms. Córdova-Alarcón maintains that the current political context offers little incentive for Noboa to pivot from his established course.
As Abad continues to navigate the ramifications of her public disputes with Noboa, she remains concerned for her safety but holds out hope that the president will honor his commitments amid ongoing national challenges, such as rampant insecurity and economic distress.
In March, the electoral court suspended her political rights over allegations of gender-based political violence concerning accusations against Noboa’s foreign minister, while Abad’s grievances against Noboa have not progressed through official channels.
While Noboa’s campaign has not issued a formal response to these allegations, he has publicly denigrated Abad, referring to her as “a traitor” at a campaign gathering. Notably, she retains her position as vice-president until May 24, when Noboa’s new term begins alongside his chosen deputy, María José Pinto.
“I intend to persist in my struggle for justice beyond May 24, as my actions could set a crucial precedent for future women in leadership roles,” Abad stated confidently.
Source
www.theguardian.com