Ecuador

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Ecuador
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The Basics Despite diversity of agricultural
exports (leading world provider of bananas, 1.2
billion in 2004, and major exporter of shrimp),
substantial oil reserves, and high potential for
tourism (Galapagos Islands), Ecuador one of the
weakest countries in Latin America. Population
13.7 million in 2003, 70 below the poverty line,
only 7.7 unemployment rate (widespread
underemployment) Racial Demographic 65
mestizo, 25 Amerindian, 7
European, 3 Black Famous Ecuadorians Jefferson
Leonardo Pérez Quezada won a gold medal in the
1996 Olympic Games, 2003 and 2005 World
Championships, and a silver in the 1999 World
Championships in the 20 km race walk
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Brief History
Independence in 1822 Late Nineteenth Century
cacao boom, economic prosperity Strong Influence
of Roman Catholic Church until 1895 Liberal Party
became dominant political force in early 20th
century Demand for cacao declined in 1920s, led
to decreased economic conditions, which led to
political instability José María Velasco Ibarra
(Velasco for short) major influence in
Encuadorian politics from 1934 until death in 1979
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Government Succession Significance of Velasco
ultimately reached presidency five times (1934,
44, 52, 60, 68), but only served out
constitutional term once 1925-1948 twenty one
different governments 1948-1960 three
successful constitutional periods largely the
result of prosperity brought about by growth in
banana trade

1960-1979 eight different governments
Since 1979 consistent
constitutional elections, but presidents tend to
lose support, or, in Roldós instance, die, and be
replaced (Roldós, Bucaram, Mahaud, Gutierrez) In
1942, Ecuador and Peru went to war and Peru ended
up taking almost half of Ecuadors land
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Presidential Timeline from 1996-2005 1996 Abdalá
Bucaram elected 1997 Bucaram deposed by Congress
on grounds of mental incapacity, replaced by
Fabian Alarcon 1998 Jamil Mahuad elected 2000
Mahuad forced out of office by indigenous
protesters after economic collapse very brief
military junta, then Vice President Gustavo Noboa
takes office 2002 Lucio Gutierrez elected 2005
Gutierrez deposed by Congress Vice President
Alberto Palacio takes office
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Constitutionally Elected Officials Control
Government True to a certain extent, but
constitutionally elected officials have a history
of being removed from office due to lack of
support. Presidents tend to run on populist
campaigns in order to appeal to lower classes,
but when they actually or just appear to go back
on their promises, an activist population makes
sure they are taken from office. Examples taken
from last three elections Bucaram, Mahuad, and
Gutierrez
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Abdalá Bucaram Elected to presidency in 1996, ran
a populist campaign condemning elites and calling
for a government to support the poor Once
elected, adopted policies to reduce role of the
state and was widely accused of corruption Poor
economic policies and lack of administrative
ability led to rising costs of utilities and
economic downfall In 1997, Congress responded to
strikes and protests by charging Abdalá with
mental incompetence and removing him from office
took the time to come up with constitutional
reason For a week, there was no one officially
recognized as president. Abdalás VP, Rosalía
Arteaga, was passed up, and President of
Congress, Fabían Alarcón, made president until
election could be held in 1998. Military
refrained from intervening.
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Jamil Mahuad Mahuad elected to presidency in
1998, faced massive economic crisis. Drop in oil
prices in 1997-98, setbacks caused by El Niño in
1998, and poor economic conditions in the late
1990s all contributed to economic crisis. In
1999, inflation rose to 50.2, and the national
currency was devalued by 65. It took 11,786
sucres, Ecuadors national currency, to equal a
single American dollar. Mahuad decided to make
the US dollar the national currency, but brought
massive protest as the lower classes werent
really able to exchange their currency and it was
virtually worthless while the upper classes had
their money invested in US dollars Indigenous
groups protested, and the military and police
allowed them to enter the National Assembly and
demand that Mahuad be taken out of office.
Mahuad fled for his safety, and, after a brief
military junta, the Ecuadorian Congress made his
Vice President, Gustavo Noboa, the President.
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Lucio Gutierrez First gained recognition as one
of the military leaders that led move to remove
Mahuad from office. Ran a populist campaign,
advocating leftist policies and anti-corruption,
but once elected adopted conservative policies
and attempted to repress opposition.
Ex-President Bucaráms (deposed in 1997 because
he was crazy, remember?) political party
started to support Gutierrez and helped keep him
from being impeached in 2004. In December of
2004, Gutierrez appointed new judges to the
Supreme Court, and this Supreme Court dropped
charges of corruption against Bucarám. In April
of 2005, weeks of protests led to the ousting of
Gutierrez. His Vice President, Alfredo Palacio,
stepped into the presidency until elections can
be held in 2006. Gutierrez fled neighboring
countries, but returned to Ecuador in October, at
which time he was immediately arrested. He claims
that he is the constitutionally elected
president, and still has followers that are
calling for his return to the presidency.
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Frequent and Fair Elections Elections are
relatively frequent and fair, this hasnt
traditionally been the problem in Ecuador. The
problem is more that elected officials have been
incapable of keeping support throughout their
terms in office.
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Almost All Adults Must Have the Right To
Vote Citizens must be over age 18 to vote, and
suffrage is universal and compulsory for literate
persons ages 18-65, and option for other eligible
voters.
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Almost All Adults Must Have the Right to Become
Candidates for Public Office Without Fear for
Their Lives or Their Property Ecuador does not
have the history of violence against political
candidates that some other Latin American
countries have. People are able to run for
office without being in danger.
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Citizens Must Have the Right to Express
Themselves About Politics Without Fear of Being
Punished This portion of the Human Rights Report,
published by the US Dept. of State in 2004,
accurately characterizes Ecuadorian citizens
ability to express themselves The Constitution
provides for freedom of peaceful assembly and
association, and the Government generally
respected these righs in practice however,
security forces used force to quell some violent
demonstrations, resulting in one death and
several injuries. Numerous labor, indigenous,
and student demonstrations took place in the
capital and the outlying regions during the year.
In February, the military shot four protesters
(one of whom later died) who were participating
in a demonstration by indigenous people. The
military claimed the protesters were armed. In
general, the security forces intervened in
demonstrations only when there was violence
against bystanders or destruction of property.
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Citizens Must Have the Right To Seek Alternative
Sources of Information, and Such Sources Must
Exist and Be Protected By Law Citizens do have
access to several sources of information, and
they are protected by law. However, some
self-censorship occurs, and defamation is a
criminal offense which can result in up to three
years in prison. In 2004, the State Department
reported that there are frequent charges of
slander and libel brought by and against public
figures, but few result in final decisions or
judicial relief.
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Citizens Must Have the Right to Form Independent
Organizations and Groups, and the Government
Should not Favor Certain Interest Groups Over
Others Indigenous Peoples In 1992, Congress
granted the indigenous people in Ecuador 2.5
million acres of land in the Amazon In 2001, Luis
Maldonado was appointed to position of Minister
for Social Welfare, becoming the first indigenous
leader to hold a cabinet post In 2004, the
Ecuadorian National Congress was composed of four
major parties, five minor parties, and thirteen
coalitions and independents.
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Political Power Should Not Be Concentrated In One
Person or Group There Should Be Separation of
Powers True in Ecuador since Velasco died in
1979, political parties tend to be weak and so no
one party dominates Ecuadorian politics. In
fact, party loyalty is so weak that, as a part of
an amendment that took effect in 1998, members
who defy their party leadership on key votes have
penalties imposed against them.
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Human Rights, Especially the Right to Life, Must
Be Protected Human rights have generally been
respected in Ecuador, doesnt have the history of
human rights violations that other countries
have, even during periods of authoritarianism.
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US Ecuadorian Relations Like most Latin
American nations, Ecuador depends upon IMF and
World Bank for economic support Presidents
customarily face problem of appeasing the US and
still keeping the support of Ecuadorian
citizens The drug war in Colombia spreads into
the Andes in Ecuador, and the US has become more
interested in Ecuador recently because of this