A rift between Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and his deputy Veronica Abad has intensified, with Abad alleging she is being pushed out of the political scene.
The situation escalated on Tuesday when Abad publicly accused Noboa of attempting to send her to Turkey, describing it as a 'banishment' following her court victory against the Ministry of Labor.
According to the court ruling issued on Monday, Abad had faced a five-month suspension from her duties due to claims of neglect tied to her role as Middle East peace envoy. This ruling was pivotal, allowing her to reclaim her position and spotlighting the fraught dynamics between the two leaders.
Abad, who took on the role of vice president alongside Noboa during the successful electoral campaign of 2023, expressed her discontent sharply. "The appointment is a new insult to Ecuadorians, seeking my immediate banishment to 'Turkey,'" she wrote, platforming her grievance through social media.
The tension between the two figures has long simmered beneath the surface, with Abad being effectively sidelined since she was appointed as peace envoy to Israel post-election. Following recent escalations of violence and instability in the Middle East, the government advised Abad to relocate to Turkey for her safety, which only added fuel to the fire.
Prior to these tumultuous events, Abad was slated for significant responsibilities within the government, yet Noboa's actions seem to suggest he does not view her as viable for future leadership roles. He stated during a recent radio interview, "It had been a mistake to make her my election partner," reflecting his distancing from his vice president.
The back-and-forth between the two reached new dimensions after the judiciary intervened on Abad's behalf. Judge Nubia Vera criticized the labor ministry for undermining Abad’s constitutional rights, asserting the court had been coerced and intimidated by officials to issue unfavorable rulings against her.
Remarkably, Vera observed, "I have been coerced, threatened, intimidated by judicial branch officials to rule against Abad," bringing attention to the judicial system's involvement and potential politicization of the conflict.
Following the court’s reinstatement of her rights and responsibilities, Abad noted she faced military interference when attempting to access her office as vice president. This led her to file complaints with the public prosecutor's office, underscoring the gravity of her situation.
The rift illuminates larger issues echoing throughout Ecuador’s political arena. Noboa, under constitutional provisions allowing him to run for re-election, may be seeking to consolidate power and stabilize his administration by curbing dissenting voices.
Abad's future role remains uncertain. Initially tasked with significant diplomatic responsibilities, she now finds herself embroiled in controversy, with her one-time ally casting her aside as election season begins to heat up.
All this contributes to the unsettling atmosphere around Ecuador’s governance as Premier Noboa prepares for re-election campaigns, raising questions about loyalty, accountability, and power dynamics between ranks.
Whether Abad’s public declarations and allegations against Noboa may rally support or trigger backlash remains to be seen, but the stage is set for potential upheaval amid already tense political waters.
