Ecuadorian Vice President Verónica Abad (left) next to President Daniel Noboa (right) during ceremony at the Carondeletale Palace in Quito on November 23, 2023. File photo.
The political crisis intensified in Ecuador after President Daniel Noboa named his national secretary of planning, Sariha Moya, as the new interim vice president, replacing Verónica Abad, who was suspended from her duties this weekend.
Daniel Noboa and Verónica Abad arrived as a duo in the 2023 presidential race, but in recent months, their relationship has soured. This followed her appointment as ambassador to “Israel” at the beginning of his government and, more recently, her temporary transfer to Turkey. Abad arrived five days late in Turkey and, as a result, was suspended from her duties without pay for 150 days for alleged “unjustified abandonment of work for three or more working days.”
Earlier in the year, Abad had reported Noboa to the Electoral Court for gender-based political violence.
🔴 IMPORTANTE 🇪🇨
Mi rechazo frente a la improcedente, clara, e innegable violación a los principios de legalidad y justicia, con la "suspensión" en mi contra por el Ministerio de Trabajo.
Defenderé con firmeza los derechos, libertad y democracia de nuestra República. pic.twitter.com/5ktscTZ3pE— Verónica Abad (@veroniabad) November 11, 2024
According to the Ministry of Labor, the former vice president committed a “serious offense,” as she was supposed to arrive in Ankara (Turkey) on September 1, where she was sent for security reasons, but arrived five days later.
This is the second punishment against Abad, as last Tuesday, she was fined US $8,500 by the electoral court of Ecuador for campaigning early in the 2023 election, when she was a candidate for mayor of the city of Cuenca.
“They intend to disqualify me for five months for a non-existent offense and without any proof, with the sole objective of not letting me assume the presidency of the republic when the presidential candidate begins his campaign, which they have been openly involved in since the beginning of his government,” Abad said.
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She also urged the Attorney General’s Office, the National Assembly, and the Comptroller’s Office to intervene in what she considers a “gross violation of the Constitution and Ecuadorian laws.”
By law, Abad was to assume the Ecuadorian presidency during Daniel Noboa ‘s campaign, ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.
Ecuador’s current vice president, Sariha Moya, was previously serving as national secretary of planning, after having held the position of minister of economy and finance when Noboa came to power.
(RedRadioVE) by Ana Perdigón with Orinoco Tribune content.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SL
