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Guillermo LassoBanker and politician
Date of Birth: 16.11.1955
Country:  Ecuador |
Content:
- Guillermo Lasso: A Banker and Politician in Ecuador
- Political Ambitions
- Presidential Campaigns
- Presidency
- Approval Ratings
- Personal Life
Guillermo Lasso: A Banker and Politician in Ecuador
Early Life and CareerBorn in Guayaquil on November 16, 1955, Guillermo Lasso's early life was influenced by his father's work as a civil servant. At the age of 23, he launched his own construction company with the support of his older brother. Although he initially pursued an economics degree at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, he eventually graduated with a degree in business administration from the Institute for Entrepreneurial Development in 1993.
From 1977 to 1989, Lasso worked in various financial firms. In 1989, he became the executive vice president and general manager of Banco de Guayaquil, and served as its CEO from 1994 to 2012. He also held the position of governor of Guayas province in 1998.
Political Ambitions
In 1999, Lasso entered the political arena, serving as Minister of Economy and simultaneously managing the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy. However, his tenure lasted only 37 days due to disagreements with President Jamil Mahuad over public debt.
Lasso later became an economic advisor to Lucio Gutierrez. In 2012, he co-founded the center-right CREO movement, which translates to "I believe" and also serves as an acronym for "creating opportunities."
Presidential Campaigns
Lasso ran for president in the 2013 Ecuadorian general election, representing CREO. He placed second with 22.68% of the vote, losing to incumbent President Rafael Correa by a significant margin (57.17%). During the campaign, Correa accused Lasso of being responsible for the severe banking crisis in the late 1990s and transferring billions of dollars offshore.
In 2017, Lasso launched his second presidential campaign, running on behalf of the Creating Opportunities party. Despite facing a two-term limit, President Correa did not participate in the election. Lasso's campaign focused on the creation of 1 million jobs in Ecuador. He advanced to the second round with Lenin Moreno but ultimately lost with 49% of the vote.
Presidency
Lasso emerged victorious in the 2021 presidential election, winning the second round. His presidency has been marked by controversy and political upheaval. In 2021, the National Assembly began investigating Lasso's offshore assets following the publication of the Pandora Papers leak. The Attorney General's Office also initiated a preliminary review of possible tax violations by the president, which was later closed without finding any evidence of wrongdoing.
In May 2023, Lasso invoked a constitutional measure known as "Muerte Cruzada" to dissolve the National Assembly after lawmakers began considering impeachment proceedings against him for alleged involvement in a corruption scheme at state-owned oil tanker company FLOPEC. This led to general elections in 2023, where Lasso did not seek re-election and was succeeded by Daniel Noboa.
Approval Ratings
Lasso's presidency has been characterized by fluctuating approval ratings. He began his term with a 71% approval rating in June 2021, according to a CEDATOS poll. Foreign Policy magazine reported his approval rating at 73% in August 2021, attributing it largely to his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his ratings have since declined, with a May 2022 poll showing 38.5% approval and 54.6% disapproval. As of 2023, amidst calls for his impeachment, Lasso's approval rating stood at 13.93%, while his disapproval rating reached 51.89%.
Personal Life
Lasso has been married to Maria de Lourdes Alcivar Crespo since 1981. They have five children: three sons and two daughters.
