International
Noboa’s 100 days in office: Ecuador’s president steers tough crime policies and economic overhauls
Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, celebrates one hundred days in office with significant popularity, attributed to his firm stance against crime, declaring an “internal armed conflict,” and driving economic reforms to stabilize the state’s finances, including an increase in the value-added tax (VAT).
Assuming office at 35 in November last year, the youngest president in Ecuador’s democratic history inherited a nation grappling with soaring crime rates, primarily driven by criminal syndicates, notably those involved in drug trafficking. Additionally, Ecuador faced a substantial fiscal deficit of $4.8 billion, nearly 5% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Noboa has garnered support for economic reforms in the National Assembly, a body that acted as a barrier for his predecessor Guillermo Lasso between 2021 and 2023.
Noboa’s Economic Reforms
The government’s political maneuverability, manifested in “mobile majorities” in the Assembly, has facilitated Noboa’s efforts to raise additional funds to address the country’s economic crisis and combat insecurity. Notably, the VAT increased from 12% to 15% starting April.
On January 9, the government faced one of the toughest moments in recent years when an armed group stormed a television channel during a live broadcast, coinciding with violent incidents in the streets and riots in several prisons, resulting in the release of 200 hostages, including police officers and guards.
All this occurred amid a state of emergency, followed by the declaration of an “internal armed conflict” against criminal gangs, which Noboa labeled as “terrorists.”
Intervention in Prisons
Simultaneously, the police and armed forces intervened in prisons, which had become centers of the security crisis, controlled by criminal gangs responsible for a series of prison massacres since 2020, claiming over 450 inmate lives.
During this period, over 64 tons of drugs have been seized, including the largest cocaine haul in the country’s history, totaling 21.5 tons found on a rural estate.
Political analyst Cristian Carpio views security as the linchpin of the government’s sustainability.
“The declaration of an internal armed conflict provided the president with political legitimacy to advance his actions and garnered increased support from the citizenry,” he told EFE.
He attributes the lack of significant opposition to the VAT hike, certain reforms, or Noboa’s announcement to analyze the elimination of fuel subsidies to the “perception” of security. However, Carpio anticipates potential shifts as citizens feel the economic effects of these measures, prompting the government to pivot towards job creation.
Fulfilling a campaign promise to convene a referendum, Ecuadorians will vote on April 21 to respond to eleven questions, mostly pertaining to security.
“The government leveraged the referendum on security issues, which not only bolstered its legitimacy among the populace but also before the Constitutional Court. I’m not sure if, under different circumstances, steps would have been taken, such as the issue of hourly work, which has been a red line in Ecuador’s politics,” he said.
According to the analyst, Noboa has “high chances of winning the referendum,” paving the way for a reelection campaign.
Political Capital in the Pre-election Year
Carpio highlights Noboa’s enduring political honeymoon three months into his presidency, enjoying popularity ranging from 70% to 80% according to various polls. However, he expresses concern over potential declines due to the economic measures.
“Nevertheless, it’s a significant political capital, especially in a pre-election year,” he emphasized, noting that Ecuadorians will elect a new president in 2025, as Noboa was elected to complete Lasso’s term until May of that year.
International
Trump announces 17-nation alliance in the Americas to “destroy” drug cartels
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the creation of a 17-nation alliance across the Americas aimed at dismantling drug cartels, during a regional summit held at his golf club in Doral.
Speaking to a group of allied leaders at the Shield of the Americas Summit, Trump said the initiative would rely on military force to eliminate powerful criminal networks operating throughout the hemisphere.
“The heart of our agreement is the commitment to use lethal military force to destroy these sinister cartels and terrorist networks. Once and for all, we will put an end to them,” Trump told the assembled heads of state.
The Republican leader argued that large portions of territory in the Western Hemisphere have fallen under the control of transnational gangs and pledged U.S. support to governments seeking to confront them. He even suggested the potential use of highly precise missiles against cartel leaders.
Before making the announcement, Trump greeted the roughly twelve leaders attending the summit, including close allies such as Javier Milei, Daniel Noboa and Nayib Bukele, whom he described as a “great president.”
The meeting forms part of Trump’s broader regional strategy inspired by his reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which seeks to reinforce Washington’s influence in the Americas, strengthen security cooperation and counter the growing presence of powers such as China.
Trump pointed to recent U.S. actions in the region as examples of his administration’s approach, including the operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
The summit also takes place amid escalating international tensions following the conflict launched last week by the United States and Israel against Iran.
International
Trump replaces Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday the departure of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, one of the key architects of the administration’s policy of deporting undocumented immigrants.
Noem, who has been assigned a new role as a “special envoy” to Latin America, will be replaced starting March 31 by Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, the president said in a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
According to media reports, Trump made the decision after Noem’s recent hearings in Congress, during which she faced tough questions regarding the awarding of a major public contract.
International
Young Woman Will Represent Mexico at 2026 World Cup Opener, Says President Sheinbaum
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced Thursday that the young Mexican woman who proves to have the best ball control skills will receive her personal ticket to the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City.
The left-wing leader had previously said she would not attend the tournament’s opening game on June 11 in the Mexican capital and instead planned to give away the ticket number 00001, reserved for her by FIFA.
During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum explained that women between 16 and 25 years old can participate by submitting a video through an official platform.
“What do they have to do? Keep the ball in the air for one minute,” she said, referring to the soccer juggling challenge that will determine the winner.
Among the judges selecting the winner will be Mexican striker Charlyn Corral, the world’s top female scorer who set a ball-control record in 2005, and professional referee Katia Itzel García.
Sheinbaum also revealed that she plans to watch the opening match during a large public gathering with giant screens in the Zócalo, located in the historic center near the presidential palace.
“Very few people will be able to attend the opening. So I will watch it here with the people, and a young woman will represent me and the people of Mexico,” the president said.
Sheinbaum has previously commented on the high cost of World Cup tickets, as well as the difficulty of obtaining them in a metropolitan area with more than 20 million inhabitants.
In the 2026 tournament, jointly hosted by United States, Mexico, and Canada, Mexico will stage 13 matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
The opening match will take place at the legendary Estadio Azteca, which previously hosted World Cup opening ceremonies in 1970 and 1986, occasions when the presidents in attendance were famously booed by the crowd.
Trump announces 17-nation alliance in the Americas to “destroy” drug cartels
Trump replaces Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin
Young Woman Will Represent Mexico at 2026 World Cup Opener, Says President Sheinbaum
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