Guillermo Lasso | |
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47th President of Ecuador | |
In office 24 May 2021 – 23 November 2023 | |
Vice President | Alfredo Borrero |
Preceded by | Lenín Moreno |
Succeeded by | Daniel Noboa |
Ecuadorian Itinerant Ambassador | |
In office 15 January 2003 – 15 April 2003 | |
President | Lucio Gutiérrez |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Office abolished |
Minister of the Economy | |
In office 17 August 1999 – 24 September 1999 Serving with Ana Lucía Armijos | |
President | Jamil Mahuad |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Position abolished |
Governor of Guayas | |
In office 10 August 1998 – 17 August 1999 | |
President | Jamil Mahuad |
Preceded by | Guido Chiriboga Parra |
Succeeded by | Benjamín Rosales |
Personal details | |
Born | Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza 16 November 1955 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
Political party | Creating Opportunities |
Spouse | |
Children | 5 |
Education | Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (dropped out) |
Website | Official website |
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Guillermo Alberto Santiago Lasso Mendoza (Latin American Spanish: [ɡiˈʝeɾmo ˈlaso]; born 16 November 1955) is an Ecuadorian businessman, banker and politician who served as the 47th president of Ecuador from 2021 to 2023.[1][2] He was the country's first conservative president in nearly two decades, marking a shift in the country's electorate.[3]
Lasso served as Superminister of Economy during the Jamil Mahuad presidency briefly in 1999. He previously served as Governor of Guayas from 1998 to 1999. In 2003, he briefly served as the Itinerant Ambassador of Ecuador during the Lucio Gutiérrez administration. Aside from his political career, Lasso is also a banker and previously was CEO of Banco Guayaquil.[4] During the presidency of Rafael Correa, Lasso became a noted critic of his administration.[5]
A traditional economic liberal,[6] his public agenda includes classical liberal points such as the defence of the division of powers to limit government and of fundamental rights.[7] He has also expressed opinions in favour of lower taxes and is a free-market advocate.[8] Lasso became involved in presidential politics when he founded the Creating Opportunities Party in 2012.[9] He first ran for president in 2013 where he came in a distant second place behind President Correa.[5] He would later run again in the 2017 election, advancing to the run-off, running against former Vice President Lenín Moreno, and narrowly losing the election.[10] In his third presidential campaign in 2021, Lasso narrowly advanced to the April run-off round of the election in February and was later elected.[11]
Lasso's presidency was noted for COVID-19 vaccination initiatives and economic relief packages through tax increases on the wealthy and funding with the International Monetary Fund.[12][13][14] However, the increase of food and fuel prices, as well as his economic policies, culminated in a series of protests across the country. The government's response raised concerns over human rights abuses, with crackdowns on indigenous protests at the hands of security forces,[15][16] as well as alleged excessive force against journalists.[17] Lasso's approval rating dropped significantly throughout 2022 and in 2023.[18]
In May 2023, the National Assembly officially began a second impeachment proceeding against Lasso. On 17 May, Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by invoking a constitutional measure known as muerte cruzada, triggering the 2023 general election,[19][20] in which he did not run and was succeeded by Daniel Noboa.[21][22][23]
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