Jan Topić
Jan Topić | |
|---|---|
 Topić in 2023 | |
| Born | April 23, 1983 |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania London School of Economics |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, economist, politician |
Jan Topić (born April 23, 1983) is an Ecuadorian businessman, economist and politician who is running for President of Ecuador in the 2023 Ecuadorian general election.[1] Prior to running for president, he serves as President of Telconet since 2010. His alleged activities for the French Foreign Legion have raised concerns of Topić being a mercenary, a label in which he denied. Prior to the political crisis in May 2023, he was briefly nominated to serve as Minister of Security by President Guillermo Lasso.
Early life
Topić was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1983 to businessman Tomislav Topić.[2] In 2005, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in economics and business. He obtained his master's degree in economics in 2012 from the London School of Economics.[2]
Military activities
He received military training in the French Foreign Legion and claimed to have fought in Ukraine during the Russian invasion and parts of Africa and Syria.[3] For this fact he has been accused of being a mercenary, however, he claimed to be an "elite professional soldier" and to have fought for France because he had dual Ecuadorian-French nationality, between 2006 and 2012.[4]
Business career
He serves as president of Telconet, a company founded by his father; since 2010.[2] He is an administrator in eight companies, among which are Academseg, Transcorpecuador, Inmobiliaria Leonortres and is a shareholder in seven companies.
In 2019, he was investigated for money laundering during the Odebrecht Case.[5]
Political career
In April 2023, he had been selected by President Guillermo Lasso to replace Minister of Security Diego Ordóñez.[6] His nomination caused controversy because of the accusations made against Topić of being a mercenary.[3] Although he accepted the position, Lasso ultimately decided not to appoint him and appointed Wagner Bravo instead.[7]
2023 presidential candidacy
In May 2023, following the dissolution of the National Assembly, he announced his candidacy for president of Ecuador in the upcoming general election. His candidacy is being supported by the Social Christian Party.[8] Lawyer and 2021 candidate Pedro José Freile was announced as his running mate.[9]
References
- ^ Jan Topic, aspirante a la presidencia de Ecuador: Admiro la determinación, valentía y ejecutividad de Bukele - CNN Video, retrieved 2023-06-20
- ^ a b c "¿Quién es Jan Topic? El empresario de la seguridad que quiere ser Presidente". www.vistazo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ a b "Jan Topic, el rambo que promete salvar el Ecuador" (in Spanish). Radio La Calle. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ "El precandidato Jan Topić desmiente ser un mercenario" (in Spanish). 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ "Sigue investigación a Tomislav y Jan Topic y su empresa Telconet" (in Spanish). El Universo. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ "Así aparece en Google a Jan Topic, el 'candidato' a Secretario Nacional de Seguridad" (in Spanish). La Contra. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Jan Topic ya no reemplazará a Ordóñez en la Secretaría de Comunicación (Actualización)" (in European Spanish). www.ecuadorenvivo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Jan Tópic anuncia candidatura presidencial apoyado por el PSC" (in Spanish). La Repulica. 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ "Pedro Freile será el binomio de Jan Topic para las elecciones anticipadas" (in Spanish). El Universo. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
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