Ecuador’s Political Crisis Deepens as Vice President Denounces Alleged Coup Attempt
Ecuador’s political landscape is in turmoil as Vice President verónica Abad has accused President Daniel Noboa of orchestrating a “coup d’état” by temporarily transferring presidential powers to Cynthia Natalie Gellibert Mora. The dramatic escalation comes just weeks before Ecuador’s February elections, raising concerns about the stability of the country’s democratic institutions.
In a fiery press conference on Thursday, Abad declared, “Ecuadorians, in a few hours the coup d’état planned and announced by President Daniel Noboa and his cabinet will be consummated.” Her statement followed the issuance of Executive Decree 500, which temporarily entrusted the presidency to Gellibert from 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday until 4:59 p.m. on Sunday.
The move comes after Noboa appointed Gellibert as vice president on January 4 through Executive Decree 494, citing Abad’s “temporary absence” from her duties. abad had reportedly taken vacation time instead of traveling to Turkey as an economic advisor, a role she was expected to fulfill until December 27.
Abad, however, has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing Noboa of governing “with decrees as if they were literally a kitchen napkin and with lies from advisors and ministers.” She emphasized that, under Article 146 of Ecuador’s Constitution, she is the rightful successor to the presidency in Noboa’s absence.
“I am prepared to replace the president, in democracy and in accordance with the Constitution, but they have forcibly prevented me from assuming my vice-presidential office,” abad stated. She further warned that “the constitutional order has been broken,” accusing Noboa and his cabinet of repeatedly violating the Constitution and carrying out a “lethal coup d’état for the democratic history of Ecuador.”
Abad has called on Ecuador’s National Assembly, Constitutional Court, and National Electoral Council to intervene, urging them to “prevent this dictatorial scale.” She has also sought support from the Organization of American States (OAS) to “preserve democratic institutions” in the country.
In response, Abad’s lawyer, Dominique Dávila, announced that they have filed a constitutional action to annul Executive Decrees 494 and 500, challenging the legality of Noboa’s decisions.
The crisis unfolds as noboa,a candidate in the upcoming February elections,is expected to take a leave of absence to campaign. The timing of the controversy has raised questions about the motivations behind the president’s actions and the potential implications for Ecuador’s political future.
Key Developments in Ecuador’s political crisis
Table of Contents
| Event | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Executive decree 494 | Issued on January 4, appointing Cynthia Gellibert as vice president. |
| Executive Decree 500 | Temporarily transfers presidential powers to Gellibert from January 9-12. |
| Abad’s Allegations | Accuses Noboa of violating the Constitution and orchestrating a coup. |
| Legal Action | Abad’s lawyer files to annul Decrees 494 and 500. |
| International Appeal | Abad calls on the OAS to safeguard democratic institutions. |
as Ecuador braces for the upcoming elections, the rift between its top leaders threatens to undermine public trust in the government. The international community, including the OAS, will likely play a crucial role in ensuring that democratic norms are upheld during this critical period.
For now, the eyes of the world remain fixed on Ecuador, as its citizens and institutions navigate one of the most contentious political crises in recent history.
Ecuador’s Political Crisis Deepens: Expert Analysis on Alleged Coup Attempt and Democratic Stability
Ecuador is facing a deepening political crisis as Vice President verónica Abad accuses President Daniel noboa of orchestrating a “coup d’état” by temporarily transferring presidential powers to Cynthia Natalie Gellibert Mora. This dramatic escalation comes just weeks before Ecuador’s February elections,raising concerns about the stability of the country’s democratic institutions. To shed light on the situation, we spoke with Dr. Alejandro Martínez, a political scientist and expert on Latin American governance, to discuss the implications of this crisis and its potential impact on Ecuador’s political future.
The Alleged Coup and Executive Decrees
Senior Editor: dr. Martínez, Vice President Abad has accused President Noboa of violating the Constitution by issuing Executive Decrees 494 and 500. Can you explain the significance of thes decrees and why they’ve sparked such controversy?
Dr. Martínez: Absolutely. Executive Decree 494,issued on January 4,appointed Cynthia Gellibert as vice president,citing Abad’s “temporary absence” from her duties. This was followed by Executive Decree 500, which temporarily transferred presidential powers to Gellibert for a three-day period. The controversy stems from the fact that Abad claims she was never formally notified of these decisions and that they violate Article 146 of Ecuador’s Constitution,which designates her as the rightful successor to the presidency in Noboa’s absence. This has led to accusations of a “coup d’état,” as Abad argues that the decrees where used to sideline her unlawfully.
Constitutional Concerns and Legal Challenges
Senior Editor: Abad has emphasized that the constitutional order has been broken. What are the key constitutional issues at play here, and how might they affect the legal challenges she’s pursuing?
Dr.Martínez: The core issue revolves around the interpretation of Article 146, which outlines the line of succession in the presidency. Abad’s legal team has filed a constitutional action to annul Decrees 494 and 500, arguing that they were issued without proper justification and undermine her constitutional role. If the courts rule in her favor, it could invalidate Gellibert’s appointment and the temporary transfer of power. however,this process could take time,and the political fallout in the meantime could further destabilize the government.
International Involvement and Democratic Institutions
Senior Editor: Abad has called on the Organization of American States (OAS) to intervene. What role can international organizations like the OAS play in resolving this crisis?
Dr. Martínez: The OAS has a long history of mediating political crises in Latin America, notably when democratic institutions are at risk. By appealing to the OAS, Abad is seeking to internationalize the issue and apply pressure on Noboa’s government to adhere to constitutional norms. The OAS could issue statements, send observers, or even facilitate dialog between the parties. Though, its effectiveness will depend on whether both sides are willing to engage in good faith and whether the international community views the crisis as a genuine threat to democracy.
Implications for Ecuador’s Upcoming Elections
senior Editor: This crisis is unfolding just weeks before Ecuador’s February elections. How might this political turmoil impact the electoral process and public trust in the government?
Dr. Martínez: The timing is highly concerning. With President Noboa expected to take a leave of absence to campaign, the temporary transfer of power to Gellibert has raised questions about the motivations behind these moves. If voters perceive this as an attempt to manipulate the political process, it could erode trust in the government and the electoral system. Additionally, the crisis could distract from critical policy discussions and deepen polarization, making it harder for the next administration to govern effectively.
looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ecuador?
Senior Editor: What do you see as the most likely outcomes of this crisis, and what steps should Ecuador take to restore stability?
Dr. Martínez: the immediate focus should be on resolving the legal and constitutional disputes thru obvious and impartial processes. The courts, the national Assembly, and the Constitutional Court all have roles to play in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld. Beyond that, Ecuador needs to strengthen its democratic institutions to prevent similar crises in the future. This includes clarifying the rules around presidential succession and ensuring that all branches of government operate independently and transparently. Ultimately, the stability of Ecuador’s democracy will depend on the willingness of its leaders to prioritize the rule of law over short-term political gains.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for your insightful analysis. This is undoubtedly a critical moment for Ecuador,and your expertise helps us better understand the complexities of this crisis.
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for having me. It’s a challenging time for Ecuador, but I remain hopeful that its institutions and citizens can navigate this crisis and emerge stronger.
