Álvaro Noboa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Álvaro Noboa Pontón
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Noboa in 2013
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| Born | November 21, 1950 Guayaquil, Ecuador
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| Occupation | Businessman |
| Political party | PRIAN (2002–2014) |
| Spouse(s) | Anabella Azín |
| Children | 4, including Daniel Noboa |
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| Relatives | Isabel Noboa (sister) Lavinia Valbonesi (daughter-in-law) |
Álvaro Fernando Noboa Pontón (born November 21, 1950) is an Ecuadorian businessman and politician. He is well-known for his many businesses. He is also the father of Daniel Noboa, who became the President of Ecuador in 2023.
Mr. Noboa has run for President of Ecuador five times. He tried in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2009, and 2013, but did not win. In 2007, he was elected as a national assemblyman. His son, Daniel Noboa, made history in 2023 by becoming the youngest President of Ecuador.
Noboa owns and runs the Noboa Group of Companies. This group has over 110 companies. They operate in Ecuador and other countries. These include the United States, Antwerp, Rome, and Japan.
Early Life and Learning
Álvaro Noboa went to San José La Salle Catholic School. This school is in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He also studied at the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. Later, he earned a law degree from the University of Guayaquil. He also studied business in New York. He can speak three languages. Noboa chose to work as an entrepreneur in business.
His sister, Isabel Noboa, is also a successful business executive. His son, Daniel Noboa Azin, became the President of Ecuador in November 2023. Daniel won the 2023 Ecuadorian general election.
Business Ventures
Family Business and Inheritance
Álvaro Noboa's father, Luis Noboa Naranjo, started the family's banana business. After his father passed away, there were disagreements about the family's business. A court in London decided that Álvaro rightfully owned a large part of the main company. This company was called Fruit Shippers Ltd. This ruling helped him take control of the family business.
Starting New Companies
In 1973, Noboa started Promandato Global S.A. This company deals with real estate. It is one of the biggest firms in Ecuador. He also founded a monthly magazine called Revista La Verdad in 1988. In the same year, he started Banco del Litoral, a bank. He also created Global Financing Company. All these businesses together are known as Grupo de Empresas Ab. Alvaro Noboa P. His banana exporting company, Exportadora Bananera Noboa, had sales of over $200 million in 2004 and 2005.
Latin American Business Meetings
Since 2003, Álvaro Noboa has attended a yearly meeting. This meeting is for Latin American businessmen. It was started by Mexican businessman Carlos Slim. The meetings are not just about business. They also discuss social issues in the region. These meetings have been held in different countries. They include Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
Worker Treatment
Noboa's companies have faced concerns about how workers are treated. Some reports mentioned that workers were fired for joining unions. In 2002, there was an incident at a banana plantation. Workers who were on strike were attacked. Some were even shot.
Human Rights Watch also looked into child labor. In 2002, they reported that children as young as eight worked on banana farms. They worked in dangerous conditions. Noboa's company stated that child labor was part of the culture. They said children helped their families during vacations. The company also stated that they took steps to stop child labor. They said child labor has not existed for many years.
Looking for New Markets
In 2009, Álvaro Noboa decided to find new international markets. He wanted to sell his products in more countries. He met with foreign investors. He said Ecuador's economy had problems. This made him look for opportunities abroad. He visited countries like France, Croatia, and Spain. He also looked at China, India, and parts of Africa. He said these countries offered support for businesses.
Noboa believed that Ecuadorian products are good quality. He wanted to export bananas, flowers, and shrimp. He also wanted to export rice and tuna. He felt that Ecuador had a negative image. This was due to its political system.
Museum and Art
On January 25, 2006, Noboa opened a museum. It is called the Luis A. Noboa Naranjo Museum. He created it to honor his father. The museum shows his father's art collection. Noboa has also supported art events. These events are called Biennales. They show art from artists around the world.
Tax Discussions
Noboa's companies have had discussions with the government about taxes. In 2005, one of his companies was closed. This was because it did not file a tax return. Another company, Frutería Jambelí Frujasa, owed a large amount in back taxes. The government audited 114 of Noboa's firms. Other companies also received tax notices. Noboa's party members called these audits "blackmail." They said it happened after Noboa refused to join a political group. The government denied this. They said audits were done on many taxpayers.
Social Work
In 1977, Noboa started the [Fundación Cruzada Nueva Humanidad (Crusade for a New Humanity Foundation)]. This foundation aims to help people. It fights against poverty, sickness, and lack of knowledge. The foundation is based on Christian beliefs. It focuses on love, unity, and self-improvement.
As of 2012, the foundation continues its work. Its medical teams provide health services. They help people in rural areas and cities across Ecuador. They are also ready for emergency cases.
Political Career
Early Political Roles
In 1996, Álvaro Noboa became President of Ecuador's Monetary Board. This was under President Abdalá Bucaram. During this time, Noboa was part of an economic team. This team included important financial advisors. They planned to change some government policies. They wanted to sell parts of state-owned companies. Noboa also said the government could get more money. This could happen by collecting taxes from those who avoided them.
His Political Party
Noboa leads the Institutional Renewal Party of National Action. This party is also known as PRIAN. He started this party himself. He created it after leaving another political party.
Challenges and Public Image
Throughout his political career, Noboa has faced many challenges. He says powerful people have attacked him. He believes they want to harm his reputation. He says they try to stop his fight against corruption. He also says they want to stop his goal to make Ecuador a developed country.
Noboa has stated that he is proud to create jobs. He says his companies are among the biggest taxpayers. He also feels proud of his social work. He provides free medical care to many Ecuadorians. He believes he is making history through his work. He wants to see better education, health care, and housing for Ecuadorians.
Presidential Campaigns
Noboa first ran for president in 1998. He came in second place in the first round. He then went to a runoff election. He lost to Jamil Mahuad. Noboa claimed there was fraud in the election.
He ran again in 2002. He reached the runoff election once more. However, he lost to Lucio Gutiérrez. In 2006, he ran for president for the third time. He won the first round of votes. He then faced Rafael Correa in the runoff. Correa won this election. Noboa did not accept the defeat at first.
In 2009, Noboa ran for president for the fourth time. This time, he came in third place. Rafael Correa was reelected. On May 2, 2012, Noboa announced he would run for a fifth time. This was for the 2013 elections. He warned about challenges he expected to face.
See also
In Spanish: Álvaro Noboa para niños
