Gustavo Noboa

Gustavo José Joaquín Noboa Bejarano (21 August 1937 – 16 February 2021) was an Ecuadorian politician who served as the 42nd president of Ecuador from 22 January 2000 to 15 January 2003. Previously he served as the 42nd vice president under President Jamil Mahuad from 1998 until 2000. From 1983 until 1984, he also was the Governor of the province of Guayas.

Born in Guayaquil, Noboa's political career began when he was appointed Governor of the Guayas Province by President Osvaldo Hurtado in 1983 where left the role the following year. In 1998, Noboa was the running mate of Jamil Mahuad, where their ticket won and Noboa became vice president.

On 21 January 2000, after growing discontent with the people of Ecuador, especially the Indigenous people of his handling of the severe economic crisis, Mahuad was ousted in a coup d'état led by Colonel Lucio Gutiérrez. Noboa eventually became president and was officially sworn in the following day. His government attempted to revive the country's economy.

Noboa left office in January 2003 and was succeeded by Lucio Gutiérrez, the leader of the coup that deposed Mahuad. Shortly after leaving office, Noboa was convicted of charges and fled the country where he was given asylum in the Dominican Republic. However, he was subsequently placed under house arrest in 2005, but was later lifted the following year.