Donald Trump congratulated Daniel Noboa, who emerged victorious in the Ecuadorian presidential runoff election with a total of 55.8% of the votes when more than 93% of the ballots had been counted.
However, her rival, the leftist Luisa González, who obtained 44.1% of the votes, stated that she “did not recognize” the results and called for a recount.
What did Trump say about Noboa’s victory?
It was through his Truth Social network that Trump congratulated the president and predicted a good term. “Congratulations to Daniel Noboa, who will be a great leader for the wonderful people of Ecuador. He will not disappoint you!”
Noboa met privately with Trump 15 days ago at Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, in southern Florida, and was also present in Washington on January 20th when the Republican was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States.
What is the relationship like between Ecuador and the United States?
The president of Ecuador also seeks to redouble efforts in combating criminal gangs with a “tough hand,” including a visit from the founder of the private security company Blackwater, Erik Prince, as an advisor to the government.
Noboa has asked for help to face the security crisis that Ecuador is currently facing, which in 2023 ranked at the top of the homicide rate in Latin America, as stated by the elected assemblywoman and mother of the ruler, Annabella Azín, this Monday.
The 37-year-old president wants to allow the reestablishment of foreign military bases in Ecuadorian territory, something that is still being debated in the National Assembly controlled by correísmo as the primary opposition force.
The United States maintained troops at the Manta air base from 1999 to 2009, during which time the forces focused on surveillance of the Pacific and combating drug trafficking, but the US military had to leave after foreign bases were prohibited in the 2008 Constitution, approved during the presidential term of Rafael Correa.
Noboa has also publicly requested the Trump administration to include irregular armed groups operating in his country on the list of terrorist groups.