Conflicts between presidents and their vice presidents are a longstanding issue in the tumultuous world of Latin American politics. This has been seen with figures like Cristina Kirchner and Julio Cobos in Argentina, as well as Evo Morales and Luis Arce in Bolivia. Currently, it is the turn of Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa, who is embroiled in a significant dispute with his vice president, Veronica Abad, involving serious allegations of gender violence and possible coup attempts.
This conflict is not new; it originated during the electoral campaign for the runoff that Noboa won on October 15. Over time, tensions have escalated to a level that now threatens his plan for presidential reelection.
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Noboa, who briefly assumed office to complete the term of former president Guillermo Lasso, has accused his vice president of attempting to disqualify him from the electoral race scheduled for February 9, 2025, through what he describes as “a coup d’état.”
“This is a war to the death, which will be resolved through undemocratic and illegal means,” he stated in an interview with TN, as reported by former newspaper director Orlando Perez.
What led to the estrangement between the Ecuadorian president and his vice president?
Noboa, a prominent banana businessman, distanced himself from his conservative vice president during the electoral campaign, though the specific reasons for this separation have never been publicly revealed. “Nobody knows. It is Ecuador’s best-kept secret,” Fernando Larenas, former director of The Trade, shared with TN.
According to opposition members aligned with former president Rafael Correa, the conflict appears to have started over fund management during the campaign. However, neither Noboa nor Abad has officially addressed the issue.
Veronica Abad declared war on Daniel Noboa (Photo: Reuters) By: REUTERS
According to Abad’s representatives, the president attempted to oust her and subsequently appointed her as ambassador to Israel. In Ecuador, the president has the authority to assign roles to the vice president, which Noboa appeared to do in an effort to distance her from the country.
The rift became irreversible. Since that point, Abad has turned into a fierce critic of the government, even alleging a campaign of “persecution” against her, which included the arrest of her son, Sebastian Barreiro, for alleged influence peddling.
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The Attorney General’s Office has included Abad in its investigations, but Congress has not approved a criminal trial against her.
Currently, Abad stands as one of the primary critics of the government, particularly since Noboa was nominated by the National Democratic Action (ADN) party for reelection in the upcoming February election. He will be accompanied on the official ticket by Maria Jose Pinto, who currently serves as secretary of the “Grow Without Childhood Malnutrition” program.
Why Verónica Abad accused Daniel Noboa of gender violence
Abad intensified her offensive this week by filing a complaint with the Electoral Dispute Court for political gender violence against the president. This constitutes a serious electoral violation under the so-called Code of Democracy. If found guilty, the penalties for Noboa could range from a simple fine to the potential suspension or dismissal of his electoral rights for a period of two to four years.
In response, the Minister of Government, Michael Sensi, stated that the complaint “is a crude attempt at destabilization and clearly constitutes a blatant coup attempt.”
Counteracting her move, Diana Jácome, an advisor to the president, filed an electoral complaint against Abad for trying to use the law as a political weapon against the administration. In her legal filing, she urged the Electoral Contentious Court to suspend the vice president’s political rights and impose a fine.
However, the conflict runs much deeper. Noboa is required to take a mandatory leave when the election campaign begins, during which his vice president will assume his duties. This has raised alarm bells within the government, as they fear that Abad might exploit this opportunity to pursue her revenge.
Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador (Photo: Reuters) By: REUTERS
Sources from the Correísmo faction noted to TN that Abad has indicated to her advisers that if she were to become president, she would repeal economic measures implemented by Noboa, such as the VAT increase and fuel hikes. Additionally, she would make wholesale changes to the cabinet and even revisit the agreement with the IMF.
The government argues that the vice president is attempting to garner support from the left and is threatening to issue a pardon to benefit Correa, who is currently in exile in Brussels after being sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption in 2020. However, the opposition refutes this claim, asserting that the vice president is a far-right leader affiliated with Opus Dei and has no ties with Correaism.
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Abad aspires to be interim president. In fact, the Constitution supports this possibility. She could govern from October until at least February 9, depending on whether Noboa wins or loses in the first round. If Noboa proceeds to a runoff in April, she would hold power for an additional two months while he continues to campaign. The new president would not be inaugurated until May 24.
However, analysts predict that Noboa will do everything possible to prevent his vice president from taking office. “They are searching for a legal mechanism to allow him to retain the presidency while he campaigns for reelection,” Larenas remarked.
Strife in Ecuador: President Daniel Noboa vs. Vice President Verónica Abad
Fights between presidents and their vice presidents are a classic in the conflict-ridden Latin American politics. On the domestic front, it happened to Cristina Kirchner with Julio Cobos or Bolivia’s Evo Morales with Luis Arce. Now, it is the Ecuadorian’s turn, Daniel Noboa, engaged in an all-out fight with Veronica Abbot in a conflict that includes cross-accusations of gender violence and coup attempts.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict between Noboa and Abad is not new; it began during the electoral campaign for the runoff that Noboa won on October 15. As tensions mounted, the situation became increasingly strained, threatening Noboa’s bid for reelection in February 2025. Noboa, who briefly stepped in to complete the mandate of resigning president Guillermo Lasso, accused his vice president of trying to remove him from the electoral race through “a coup d’état.” He described the battle as “a war to the death,” indicating the intensity of their schism.
The Root Causes of Estrangement
Noboa, a well-known banana businessman, distanced himself from his conservative vice president during the electoral campaign, but the precise reasons remain unclear. “Nobody knows. It is Ecuador’s best-kept secret,” remarked Fernando Larenas, former director of the newspaper The Trade. Speculations have surfaced that the discord traces back to the fund management during the campaign; however, neither Noboa nor Abad has spoken publicly on the matter.
Veronica Abad declared war on Daniel Noboa (Photo: Reuters)By: REUTERS
Escalation of Tensions
Abad’s spokespeople indicated that Noboa attempted to sideline her from power by appointing her ambassador to Israel, a move seen as an effort to distance her from the country’s political landscape. Following this decision, Abad became a vocal critic of the government and alleged that she was the victim of a “persecution” led by the executive, including the arrest of her son, Sebastian Barreiro, on charges of influence peddling.
Political Ramifications
The conflict reached new heights when Abad filed a complaint with the Electoral Dispute Court against Noboa, alleging political gender violence, which is categorized as a serious electoral violation under Ecuador’s Code of Democracy. If found guilty, Noboa could face penalties ranging from fines to a suspension of his electoral rights for two to four years. Conversely, Noboa’s government responded by denouncing the complaint as a “crude attempt at destabilization,” with Minister of Government Michael Sensi characterizing it as a clear coup attempt.
Counteractions and Political Maneuvering
In response to Abad’s complaint, advisor Diana Jácome filed her own electoral complaint against vice president Abad, accusing her of weaponizing the law against the government. This legal back-and-forth adds layers of complexity to the political landscape as the government attempts to control the narrative and prevent any further fallout.
Impacts on Governance
Noboa will be required to request a mandatory license during the election campaign, which would see Abad step in as acting president. This scenario raises fears within the government, as Abad has hinted at her intentions for governance, leading to speculation about potential reversals of economic policies, including tax hikes and fuel price increases. Furthermore, there are concerns that she may consider modifications to the agreement with the IMF and potentially issue a pardon for former president Rafael Correa, who has been exiled since 2020.
Analyzing the Fallout
In this politically charged atmosphere, sources linked with Correísmo have suggested that Abad aims to solidify her influence by appealing to the left-wing base while simultaneously distancing herself from claims of being a member of the far-right. The contentious battleground is now set for the upcoming elections, which are set for February 9, 2025.
Public Sentiment and Reactions
- Supporters of Noboa argue that his leadership has brought stability and potential for economic growth.
- Critics, particularly those aligned with Abad, allege that his administration has resorted to authoritarian tactics to suppress dissent.
- The populace remains divided, with many feeling the escalating political clash threatens the democratic process.
Conclusion: The Future of Ecuadorian Politics
As the conflict continues to unfold, the stakes are high for both Noboa and Abad. With corruption allegations, economic policy reversals, and a polarized electorate, the landscape of Ecuadorian politics will be shaped by their ongoing battle. The outcome of this conflict may also set the tone for the future of governance in a region historically marked by political instability.
