Ecuador
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
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
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 Ecuador’s land
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
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
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.
Abdalá’s 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.
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, Ecuador’s 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 weren’t 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.
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 Bucarám’s (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.
Frequent and Fair Elections
Elections are relatively frequent and fair, this hasn’t traditionally
been the problem in Ecuador. The problem is more that elected
officials have been incapable of keeping support throughout
their terms in office.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Human Rights, Especially the Right to Life, Must
Be Protected
Human rights have generally been respected in Ecuador,
doesn’t have the history of human rights violations that other
countries have, even during periods of authoritarianism.
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