Ecuador suspends vice president Veronica Abad for ‘abandoning duties’ amid ongoing political tensions – JURIST

Ecuador’s Vice President Veronica Abad has been suspended for 150 days following accusations of “unjustified abandonment” of her duties. This action, effective from midnight on Saturday, represents a significant development in the escalating tensions within Ecuador’s government leadership.

The suspension comes amidst the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s allegations that Abad defied an order to temporarily relocate from Israel to Turkey in response to the ongoing regional conflict. According to reports, Abad delayed her move by eight days, attributing the delay to inadequate preparation time and stating that the government advised her to leave her children in Israel.

The suspension highlights the deteriorating relationship between Abad and President Daniel Noboa, whose partnership has been marked by a longstanding rift despite their joint governance. In August, Abad filed a complaint alleging gender-based violence against Noboa and other officials, a claim that further exacerbated an already-strained dynamic. On November 8, 2024, Abad’s allegations against Noboa and several high-ranking officials reached a pivotal moment in an “audiencia oral única de prueba y alegatos” (unique oral hearing for evidence and allegations) at the Tribunal Contencioso Electoral (TCE). This hearing, presided over by Judge Guillermo Ortega, allowed Abad to present her accusations against Noboa, Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld, former Deputy Minister Esteban Torres, and former advisor Diana Jácome. Abad contends these officials engaged in political violence aimed at undermining her role and preventing her from assuming the presidency in Noboa’s absence. Specific accusations include forcing her relocation to Israel amidst conflict, restricting her vice-presidential functions, and issuing statements that harm her political reputation.

The suspension is the second measure taken against Abad in recent days. Last week, she was fined $8,500 by Ecuador’s Electoral Disputes Tribunal for premature campaigning in 2023 while a candidate for Cuenca mayor. The series of actions against her could carry notable implications for the upcoming national elections in February 2025. Abad’s lawyer, Dominique Dávila, asserts that the suspension is an attempt to block Abad from assuming the presidency should Noboa seek reelection and require a leave of absence for campaign purposes.

The suspension of Vice President Veronica Abad just months before Ecuador’s February 2025 elections introduces significant uncertainty into the usual electoral process, particularly as incumbents seeking reelection are required by law to take a leave of absence, leaving the vice president to assume presidential duties temporarily. With Abad now unable to fulfill this role, the line of succession, and President Daniel Noboa’s potential campaign face an unprecedented complication. This action has drawn attention to the power dynamics within Ecuador’s executive branch, fueling concerns over its impact on democratic processes and potential long-term political polarization.