GUAYAQUIL– Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa issued a decree on Tuesday naming interim Vice-President Cynthia Natalie Gellibert as acting president from Thursday to Sunday to allow him to focus on campaigning for his re-election.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing dispute between Noboa and elected Vice-President Veronica Abad, who has been at odds with the administration over her role and duties. Noboa justified the decision in the decree, stating it was necessary to uphold principles of transparency, fairness, and proper use of public resources while ensuring a clear distinction between his presidential responsibilities and campaign activities.
The controversy surrounding Abad’s role escalated after she was suspended in November from her post as Ecuador’s ambassador to Israel by the labor ministry, citing her refusal to travel to Turkey during the Gaza conflict. Although a court overturned her suspension in December, Noboa ordered her to serve temporarily at Ecuador’s embassy in Turkey.
Over the weekend, Abad asserted her right to assume the presidency when Noboa stepped aside for the campaign period, urging military backing. However, Ecuador’s armed forces declared they would uphold the constitution and the president’s decision.
Noboa, elected in 2023 to complete his predecessor’s term, has emphasized his administration’s progress in reducing violence following a surge in crime post-COVID-19. However, critics have accused the government of overreliance on the military and alleged human rights violations in its approach to tackling security challenges.