Ecuador banana heir Daniel Noboa hopes to fulfill father's presidential dreams

[Judi Lynn]

By Alexandra Valencia
October 12, 20237:04 AM CDT Updated 2 days ago

QUITO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Daniel Noboa, who grew up accompanying his businessman father during the latter's five failed attempts to become president of Ecuador, is betting his employment-focused campaign can fulfill his family's ambition to clinch the presidency.

The 35-year-old Guayaquil native, heir to banana baron Alvaro Noboa's business empire, will face Luisa Gonzalez, the protégé of former President Rafael Correa, in the Sunday contest.

Gonzalez won an August first round with 34%, while Noboa came a surprising second with 23%. Polling points to a tight second-round contest.

The campaign was marked by violence and threats toward candidates, including the murder of anti-corruption hopeful Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot and killed leaving a rally. Suspects jailed in the case were subsequently also killed.

"Ecuadoreans, thank you for having the courage to be part of this new project for life," Noboa said during a recent debate. "The future will win over the past, hope over hate."

More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ecuador-banana-heir-daniel-noboa-hopes-fulfill-fathers-presidential-dreams-2023-10-12/

[al bupp]

1. Here's an interesting take on the CR party

https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/in-ecuador-has-correismo-changed-its-tune/

For what's worth, my extremely informal poll of ecuadorian taxi drivers over the last weeks here, tells that Azin is far ahead in the race.