Testing times for Ecuador’s new president

Security concerns and environmental opposition to oil and gas drilling pile pressure on new leader’s truncated first term

Ecuador’s youngest ever president, Daniel Noboa, may have narrowly edged out his leftist opponent in the country’s recent snap general election, but he faces a steep learning curve if he wants to secure a second term in just less than 18 months. The heir of a banana dynasty, Noboa inherits an economy reeling from unprecedented gang violence and a public increasingly distrustful of the extractive sector. The assassination of presidential hopeful Fernando Villavicencio in August highlighted the deteriorating security situation.   “Noboa managed to capitalise on his positioning as a new and fresh young face, offering change and pledging employment, economic opportunity and security,” said Eilee