STORY: Business heir Daniel Noboa was sworn in for a full term as Ecuador's president on Saturday (May 24), promising to press the South American country's fight against drug gangs and boost sluggish economic growth.

Noboa, elected in 2023 to finish out his predecessor's term, won an April vote by an unexpectedly wide margin, despite claims of fraud by his leftist rival.

In a ceremony at the National Assembly on Saturday, he was sworn in by the body's president, Niels Olsen Peet. Olsen placed a presidential sash over Noboa's shoulders and they raised their joined hands in a moment of celebration.

During his 18 months in office, Noboa declared war on criminal groups, using decrees to deploy the military on the streets, beefing up security at ports and lengthening sentences for drug crimes and terrorism.

He also inked a $4 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund, sought to reduce a $4.6 billion fiscal deficit and met with Chinese banks to discuss possible loans.

Though Noboa has touted a 15% reduction in violent deaths during 2024, the first four months of 2025 saw a 58% spike in the figure, to 3,094, compared to the same period last year, according to government figures.

He has said the economy is set to grow 4% this year, though the central bank predicts 2.8% growth.

Noboa will need to seek financing, analysts say, amid a public debt burden of 51.8% of GDP, high country risk that makes bond issues difficult and a fall in oil production, one of the country's top exports.

Noboa's party has control of the legislature and most of its committees.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: QUITO, ECUADOR (MAY 24, 2025) (ECUADOR GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT NIELS OLSEN SWEARING IN DANIEL NOBOA AS PRESIDENT OF ECUADOR

2. ATTENDEES APPLAUDING

3. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT NIELS OLSEN SWEARING IN DANIEL NOBOA AS PRESIDENT OF ECUADOR

QUITO, ECUADOR (MAY 24, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. ATTENDEES APPLAUDING

5. OLSEN PLACING PRESIDENTIAL SASH ON NOBOA

6. ATTENDEES APPLAUDING

7. OLSEN, NOBOA AND ECUADOR'S NEW VICE PRESIDENT MARIA JOSE PINTO HOLDING HANDS UP

8. ATTENDEES APPLAUDING

9. CEREMONY IN PROGRESS

10. NOBOA STANDING, WEARING PRESIDENTIAL SASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ECUADOR PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA SAYING:

"We will advance step by step, firmly, implementing each and every one of the necessary reforms to build a state that is not a burden on society, but the solid foundation for growth, employment and investment, because today we are at the gates of four years of progress, four years where forgotten dreams will become realities."

12. NOBOA GIVING SPEECH SPEECH, ATTENDEES LISTENING

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ECUADOR PRESIDENT DANIEL NOBOA SAYING:

"This is not a fight against common crime, it is a direct confrontation with organized criminal structures, with networks that operate inside and outside the country, with financing, weapons and clear objectives to destabilize the state and subject society to fear. Despite the threats, we did not take a single step back, we did not allow it because this country does not belong to them."

QUITO, ECUADOR (MAY 24, 2025) (ECUADOR GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

14. ECUADOR'S FIRST LADY LAVINIA VALBONESI AND PRESIDENT NOBOA'S MOTHER AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN ANNABELLA AZIN AT CEREMONY

QUITO, ECUADOR (MAY 24, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

15. COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT GUSTAVO PETRO SITTING NEXT TO PERUVIAN PRESIDENT DINA BOLUARTE

16. GUESTS AT CEREMONY

17. U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. AT CEREMONY

18. NOBOA GREETING GUESTS AT CEREMONY

19. NOBOA LEAVING LEGISLATIVE PALACE

QUITO, ECUADOR (MAY 24, 2025) (ECUADOR GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

20. NOBOA'S MOTHER ANNABELLA AZIN KISSING NOBOA ON THE CHEEK AS HE EXITS

21. VARIOUS OF NOBOA LEAVING THE LEGISLATIVE PALACE WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILD