Ecuador’s government has placed the country on “maximum alert” after uncovering an assassination plot against recently reelected President Daniel Noboa, highlighting growing tensions in a nation already grappling with rising cartel violence and political division.
At a Glance
- Ecuadorian authorities claim intelligence reports indicate an assassination plot against President Daniel Noboa involving hitmen from Mexico
- The warning comes shortly after Noboa’s decisive election victory over leftist candidate Luisa González by over a million votes
- González has accused Noboa of “grotesque electoral fraud” despite international observers dismissing such claims
- The government attributes threats to criminal organizations and political opponents defeated in the election
- Noboa faces significant challenges uniting the country amid drug cartel violence when he’s sworn in on May 24
Escalating Security Concerns
Ecuadorian authorities placed the country on high alert this weekend after receiving intelligence about a suspected assassination attempt targeting President Daniel Noboa. The Government Ministry cited potential threats including assassination, terrorist attacks, and violent protests, though they provided limited evidence supporting these claims.
Security forces have implemented enhanced protective measures for the president, who declared an “internal armed conflict” earlier in his administration while taking a hardline stance against powerful drug cartels operating throughout the country.
Government officials claim the assassination plot involves “criminal structures” and political opponents defeated in the recent election. A leaked military intelligence report circulating on social media alleges “the transfer of hired killers from Mexico and other countries to Ecuador has begun,” suggesting a coordinated international effort to target the President. The Ecuadorian military is expected to issue an official statement regarding the intelligence report’s authenticity and provide additional details about the alleged threats.
NEW: Ecuador is on maximum alert over an alleged assassination plot against recently reelected President Daniel Noboa
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 19, 2025
Political Tensions Following Election
The assassination warnings follow Noboa’s recent reelection victory in the April 13 runoff vote, where he defeated leftist candidate Luisa González by more than one million votes. González has refused to accept the results, making unsubstantiated claims of “grotesque electoral fraud” despite international observers and Ecuador’s electoral council dismissing fraud allegations.
The disputed election has further divided the country along political lines, with Noboa’s supporters celebrating his victory while opposition groups question the legitimacy of his mandate.
The Government Ministry issued a strong statement condemning any threats against the president and state authorities. “We strongly condemn and repudiate any intention against the life of the president of the Republic, state authorities or public officials,” the Ministry declared, emphasizing the country’s heightened state of vigilance. Critics, including González and her supporters, have suggested the government may be exaggerating security threats to suppress legitimate political dissent and distract from electoral controversy.
International Complications
Ecuador’s political crisis has significant international dimensions, with neighboring countries Mexico and Colombia refusing to recognize Noboa’s election victory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly supported González, who continues seeking a vote recount. This regional tension follows an incident last year when Mexico severed diplomatic ties with Ecuador after Ecuadorian authorities arrested a former Vice President who had sought asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Quito, creating a diplomatic rift that remains unresolved.
Security analysts note the alleged Mexican connection to the assassination plot could further complicate already strained relations between the two nations. The government has provided few details about the specific evidence supporting claims of Mexican hitmen entering Ecuador, raising questions about the veracity of the intelligence reports. However, Ecuador’s rising cartel-related violence lends credibility to concerns about potential criminal organization involvement in politically motivated violence.
Challenges Ahead
Noboa is scheduled to be sworn in for his new term on May 24, facing the daunting task of uniting a deeply divided nation plagued by escalating drug cartel violence. Since taking office initially, Noboa has maintained a tough stance against criminal organizations, declaring an “internal armed conflict” that authorized military operations against cartels designated as terrorist groups. This approach has made him a target for criminal organizations, which may see assassination as a means to protect their illicit operations.
The coming weeks will test Ecuador’s security apparatus and Noboa’s leadership as he navigates these overlapping crises. Government officials have pledged to maintain heightened security measures indefinitely while investigating the alleged assassination plot. Whether these threats materialize or not, they underscore the volatile political climate in Ecuador as Noboa prepares to begin his full term with significant portions of the population questioning his legitimacy while criminal organizations actively challenge state authority.
