President Noboa on Ecuador's National Strike, Economic Plan, and Constitutional Reform

Response to National Strike

• 💡 President Noboa views the ongoing national strike as a continuation of past protests (2019, 2022) and believes a small minority (2-3%) is trying to dictate national policy.
• 🎯 The government has offered over $300 million in compensations and 83,000 bonds to those in need, diverting funds from illegal mining and fuel trafficking.
• ⚠️ Noboa asserts that many protestors are connected to illegal mining and organized crime, including members of "Tren de Aragua" and "GDOs," engaging in violent acts rather than peaceful social protest.
• 🚔 The strategy involves actively unblocking roads using police and armed forces, with the government prepared to resist as long as protestors, adhering to the law.

Economic Strategy and Diesel Subsidy

• 📈 The decision to eliminate the diesel subsidy is maintained as non-negotiable, justified by controlled inflation (0.75%) and low oil prices (below $65/barrel).
• 💰 Noboa states the subsidy cost over $1 billion annually and primarily benefited criminal economies (illegal mining, drug trafficking) rather than the poor or export promotion.
• ✅ The government's economic policy, independent of the FMI, includes compensations for affected families, farmers, and transporters, aiming for fiscal sustainability without removing benefits from the poorest.
• 📊 Compensations are designed to be correlated with increased productivity and may extend beyond the initial 12-month program, adapting to economic movement.

Constitutional Reform Vision

• 📜 Noboa advocates for a new constitution to address issues like favoring criminals, hindering foreign investment, and creating economic obstacles, aiming for Ecuador to be a global protagonist.
• 🛡️ The proposed reform will focus on economic, security, and social aspects, including changes to allow military patrolling, extradition, and stronger legal frameworks against crime.
• ⚖️ He seeks to enable political judgment of Constitutional Court magistrates, citing it as a global standard, to ensure accountability and control.
• 🚫 President Noboa rejects indefinite re-election for his or other positions, emphasizing his belief in change and spending time with family.

Addressing Public Health and Social Security

• 🏥 Noboa acknowledges a public health crisis caused by "mafias" within the sector, with government efforts including militarizing hospitals and a $200 million medicine purchase plan.
• 💊 Significant improvements in health, including the Healthbert system and better inventory management, are expected in the last quarter of the year, aiming to reduce "infinite derivations."
• 🚨 The financial situation of the IESS (Social Security) is critical, but Noboa prioritizes increasing the number of contributors through job creation over raising retirement age or contributions.
• 📊 He highlights the highest generation of adequate employment since 2019, but acknowledges it's not yet sufficient to fully address the IESS's financial needs.

Combating Organized Crime and Security

• ⚔️ Noboa describes the current phase against organized crime as a "war" with intense battles and conflict, aiming to reduce the influence zone of narco-terrorist groups.
• 🚨 Despite prison massacres, the government claims control was neutralized within hours, attributing some unrest to groups connected with illegal mining and protests.
• 🤝 International cooperation, including Europol and Homeland Security, is sought, with discussions about foreign military bases in Ecuador to enhance regional security.
• 📈 While crime rates are debated, the strategy involves capturing leaders, seizing assets, and reducing territorial influence, with a plan to significantly reduce violent deaths in the last quarter.