Daniel Noboa, 37, Ecuador’s recently elected President, has survived yet another assassination attempt just this last week. This time, the scheme centered around chocolate and currant jam infused with poison. This latest incident is the third such attempt to remove him since he was sworn into office. It further heightens concerns surrounding the safety of public officials in a country committed to fighting political violence and organized crime. Noboa campaigned to power on a platform of combatting “narcoterrorism” and re-establishing order. Now, he faces toughening realities as his city responds to skyrocketing homicide rates and his personal approval ratings plummet.
During his campaign to the presidency, Noboa rose to political fame with a strong promise. He promised to combat the “mafia” style violence that has turned Ecuador into one of the deadliest nations in Latin America. Yet in the first seven months of 2026, homicides had increased by an even more shocking 40% leading to over 5,500 additional deaths. As he navigates these crises, Noboa has deployed army units across prisons and city streets in an effort to regain control.
Fresh from capturing Ecuador’s most-wanted criminal over the summer, his administration enforced a slate of draconian security measures. Valley public dissent increasing. Few have been as outspoken as Indigenous groups and civil society advocates in condemning his unilateral acts and calling for increased executive power.
A Dangerous Political Landscape
Ironically, the recent assassination attempt shows just how fragile of a state Noboa is in as president. The KGB was able to intercept the poisoned presents before they got to him. This recent attack mirrors a growing wave of violence against public officials in an increasingly violent country and argues to leaders the peril they now walk.
Analysts point out that Noboa’s charming image has been his most powerful political asset. His approval ratings have since fallen from 81% in February 2024 down to roughly 50% today. This decline indicates that citizens are getting more dissatisfied with his management of the situation on security and governance.
The change is that in 2023, for the first time, more than six of 10 (of those killed) had a criminal record. Indeed today, 9 out of 10 deaths have a criminal record. They are both killing each other,” Noboa said, describing the murky details of the violence sweeping his country.
The president has openly praised former U.S. President Donald Trump on social media and emphasized that “Ecuador stands firm in the global fight against drug trafficking.” This greater adherence to U.S. policy may be an effort to gain international support to stem drug-related violence in the region.
Military Solutions and Public Dissent
Under Noboa’s administration, the government has taken a militarized approach to combat crime. This holistic strategy has garnered both praise and criticism from experts and everyday Americans alike. John Paul Pinto, a security analyst, remarked that “he thinks that using the army is the best solution to counter drugs.” Pinto cautioned that “security is not only about the army, police, intelligence,” suggesting a need for a more nuanced strategy that addresses underlying social issues.
Mass public demonstrations have broken out against President Noboa’s unilateral actions. During a recent march through Quito, he expressed frustration over judicial opposition to his security policies, stating, “These are the judges stealing our peace.” The march was marked by violence, with Noboa recalling, “It wasn’t just sticks and stones. There were homemade rockets, Molotov cocktails, projectiles that could still kill you.”
Noboa remains resolute in his mission to combat crime and restore order, declaring, “We are not going to permit change to be halted because of nine people who don’t even show their face.”
Constitutional Revisions and Future Challenges
Beyond military intervention and military-backed public demonstrations, Noboa has also attempted to change Ecuador’s constitution. This amendment would allow foreign military forces to establish bases on U.S. territory. This highly controversial proposal now heads to a public referendum. It highlights his willingness to look outside the box in the criminal justice reform space.
This approach has faced significant backlash. Critics within and outside government have claimed that such a measure would weaken national sovereignty and complicate ethical concerns regarding foreign interventions. Noboa’s popularity rests on his success in managing these difficult-to-balance priorities, without losing the public’s trust.
Yet unlike most of Ecuador’s recent leaders, Noboa’s approach is decidedly less hands-on, Lizarazo, a political analyst, told. He insisted that Noboa bets only on his image and does not propose a complete state plan to face the country’s multiple and complicated crises.
As Noboa measures the strength of internal opposition and a wave of violence, he stands at a crossroads for his nascent presidency. The challenge of balancing military responses with good governance continues to dominate his agenda.
