Quito, Mar 16 (Prensa Latina) Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa welcomed on Friday the participation of 30,000 people in the Guayaquil march to support the referendum on the Constituent Assembly, and questioned media coverage of the event.
"With their customary arrogance and disdain, elites do not want to recognize that there were 30,000 Ecuadoreans in the march of Guayaquil, southeast of the capital," Correa stressed.
At the inauguration of the Civical Square of the Ministry of Education, during which homage was paid to late minister Guadalupe Larriva, Correa said his gathering was 15 times larger than municipality mayor Jaime Nebot"s.
He questioned local media, which only covered the 2,000-strong protest led by Nebot, whom he criticized for his exclusive, discriminatory speech.
The president warned that he is "leading a government of change, a revolution of the people, and there is resistance by elites and mafias, which are losing their power and trying to thwart this process by all means."
Showing posts with label Larriva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Larriva. Show all posts
Monday, March 19, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Ecuador Minister Death, Human Error
Quito, Feb 28 (Prensa Latina) A human error caused the helicopter crash on January 24, in which the Ecuadorian Minister of Defense Guadalupe Larriva died, Leonardo Barreiro, leading the International Commission in charge of investigating that disaster, informed on Wednesday.
There was no evidence of sabotage or technical flaws in the two helicopters, which crash caused the death of Larriva, her daughter Claudia Avila and five members of the Army, Barreiro noted.
He said they are presently working with the photocopying of the 1,200-page report that will be delivered to the Armed Forces Joint Command on Thursday, then to the Ministry of Defense, and later to Carondelet Palace (Presidential Palace)
Ecuador President Rafael Correa confirmed yesterday that the international commission had completed its investigations, but did not reveal its conclusions.
There was no evidence of sabotage or technical flaws in the two helicopters, which crash caused the death of Larriva, her daughter Claudia Avila and five members of the Army, Barreiro noted.
He said they are presently working with the photocopying of the 1,200-page report that will be delivered to the Armed Forces Joint Command on Thursday, then to the Ministry of Defense, and later to Carondelet Palace (Presidential Palace)
Ecuador President Rafael Correa confirmed yesterday that the international commission had completed its investigations, but did not reveal its conclusions.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Ecuador: dignity, sovereignty on the rise
Rafael Correa, upon his inauguration as Ecuador’s president on Jan. 15, immediately called for Congress to approve a referendum for a constitutional assembly which he sees as crucial for “a profound transformation” of the country. While campaigning, Correa promised a new constitution, demanded that U.S. troops leave the country and condemned Washington-backed “free trade” agreements.
Despite 80 percent popular support for the assembly, Ecuador’s Congress, controlled by right-wing parties, had rejected the proposed referendum as unconstitutional. Since Jan. 30, widespread demonstrations, led by indigenous groups, have kept the issue open.
Marchers descended upon Congress on Feb. 12, demanding immediate action on the referendum. Indigenous leader Humberto Cholango told the crowd, “We can’t keep on leaving things up to a discredited, neoliberal political sector,” referring to those who advocate NAFTA-like pacts, privatization and public austerity.
Correa promised, if need be, to bypass Congress and set up a special entity to authorize the referendum. The next day, however, Congress, in a compromise, approved the referendum.
The government has also had to deal with a border dispute with Colombia, a U.S. ally. On Dec. 11, Colombian airplanes, fumigating coca plants in Colombia, dispersed the herbicide Glyphosate over inhabited areas in Ecuador, repeating the incursion on Feb. 5. Colombia called off further spraying five days later, after Ecuador announced plans to go to the International Court at The Hague.
The Correa government has outlined a “foreign policy peace initiative” on border problems, especially the humanitarian crisis affecting 250,000 Colombians displaced by that nation’s civil war.
Correa became Ecuador’s eighth president in 10 years after a 57 percent runoff victory on Nov. 26. Speaking partly in the Quechua language, he joined thousands of indigenous people on Jan. 14 for a symbolic inaugural ceremony. “This nation is one of the five Latin American countries with the least investment per inhabitant,” he said, and he has prioritized education, health care and support for the most vulnerable as his goals. Women occupy seven of 17 cabinet posts in his government.
“The neoliberal night is reaching its end,” Correa declared. “A sovereign, dignified, just and socialist Latin America is beginning to rise.”
President Evo Morales of Bolivia, on hand for the ceremony with Venezuelan President Chavez, responded, “The struggle of the Cuban people and Fidel against imperialism was not in vain.” According to the Mexican daily La Jornada, Correa is “taking on responsibility for Indo-America socialism epitomized by José Carlos Mariátegui,” a Peruvian Communist leader of the 1920s.
Under Correa, Ecuador plans to cut its ties with the International Monetary Fund. On Feb. 2, officials announced a 10 percent reduction in foreign debt repayments, allowing for a 6 percent funding increase for social services. Ecuador owes $11 billion, approximately 25 percent of its GDP, to foreign lenders.
In response, Thomas Shannon, U.S. undersecretary of state, advised caution. President Correa, he suggested, should “not place Ecuador in conflict with institutions and countries it needs and that can provide the most help,” adding, “We have an idea of how to do it, based on our experience [which] we are inclined to share.”
According to Correa, Ecuador will re-evaluate foreign debt obligations. He has proposed “an international debt arbitration court” to determine “legitimate foreign debt” and use of the “Bank of the South,” proposed by Venezuela, as repository for monetary reserves.
Under agreements ratified Feb. 9, Venezuela will help modernize Ecuador’s refineries and hydroelectric facilities, process 100,000 barrels of Ecuador’s oil on a daily, no-cost basis, and allow Petroecuador to drill for oil in Venezuela.
A cloud of tragedy, however, pervades these new beginnings. Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva died Jan. 24 when two helicopters collided during military exercises near the Manta U.S. Air Base installation. She, her 16-year-old daughter, and five officers were passengers. All died.
Larriva, head of Ecuador’s Socialist Party, had condemned Ecuador’s military ties with Colombia, projected military reforms, and confirmed U.S. troop departure from Manta in 2009 when bilateral agreements expire.
President Correa fired Army chief Pedro Machado because of the crash, which, according to an international team, was not caused by mechanical problems. Observers liken Larriva’s death to that of leftist President Jaime Roldos in 1981. His aircraft also crashed under mysterious circumstances.
Lorena Escudero replaced Larriva as defense minister, joining female counterparts serving in Argentina and Uruguay. At Larriva’s funeral, Rafael Correa bade farewell: “Guadalupe, you liked hearing this, from the song for Comandante Che Guevara: ‘Until victory, always.’”
atwhit @ megalink.net
Monday, February 12, 2007
Ecuador's 'citizens' revolution'
Duroyan Fertl,
Green Left Weekly, 8 February 2007
Since his January 15 inauguration, President Rafael Correa has set about implementing his plan for changing Ecuadorian society, centred on a “citizens’ revolution” to refound the country and begin the construction of a “socialism of the 21st century” by investing economic wealth in social spending on health, education, housing and the environment.
Green Left Weekly, 8 February 2007
Since his January 15 inauguration, President Rafael Correa has set about implementing his plan for changing Ecuadorian society, centred on a “citizens’ revolution” to refound the country and begin the construction of a “socialism of the 21st century” by investing economic wealth in social spending on health, education, housing and the environment.
In an effort to curb pollution, on February 3 Correa declared that Ecuador would suspend the contracts of oil companies who needlessly damage the environment. The decision follows the recent announcement that the Ecuadorian government had made US$1 billion from the oilfields of Oxy Petroleum, whose concessions were revoked a year ago for breach of contract. Correa has announced his intention to renegotiate contracts with other oil companies to give the government a larger share of the profits, to use for social spending.
Already under investigation is Brazil’s Petrobras, which holds the right to explore Oil Block 31, located in one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. Another target of the government’s ire is a mine planned by Ascendant Copper in Junin. Ascendant’s environmental impact statement was rejected in late 2006, and the company is also accused of using paramilitary groups to intimidate and assault local opponents of the mine.
On February 5, Ecuador announced that it will take Colombia to the International Court of Justice over the spraying of glyphosate near the border and over parts of Ecuador. In December last year, Ecuador temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Colombia over the issue. The spraying is part of the US-funded “war on drugs” and is designed to kill coca plants, the source of the raw material for cocaine. However, it also leads to massive environmental damage, birth defects and the poisoning of the watertable.
The government’s new budget, delivered on January 31, promised a $1 billion reduction in foreign debt payments and repeated the government’s intention to renegotiate much of the debt. The government also outlined a plan to reform the tax system, lowering the value-added tax from 12% to 10% while increasing company taxes. On February 1, Correa announced the doubling of social benefits to more than a million of the poorest and most vulnerable, including the sick and single mothers.
Correa has already suffered some setbacks, however. Banana-growers have protested his choice of agriculture minister, Carlos Vallejo — a former associate of Correa’s rival in last year’s presidential election, Alvaro Noboa. Noboa is Ecuador’s richest man and owns numerous banana plantations. He is accused of using child labour and violently breaking strikes. Another associate of Noboa’s, Francisco Cucalon, recently appointed attorney-general, resigned on January 31 amid protests by Correa and others that his appointment was unconstitutional.
Another setback for Correa was the death on January 24, after only nine days in office, of Guadalupe Larriva, Ecuador’s first ever female defence minister. Larriva died in a collision of two military helicopters near Manta air base. She was a former president of the Socialist Party of Ecuador and head of the teachers’ union, and had been planning to renovate the armed forces, including increasing wages for low-ranking soldiers.
An independent investigation initiated by the government found nothing suspicious about the death. Nevertheless, Correa has replaced the head of the army. He has appointed another woman, Lorena Escudero, as defence minister. Since coming to power, Correa has also replaced three police chiefs, the latest on January 27, as he attempts to reform an institution rife with corruption.
The most important part of Correa’s reform program, the convoking of an assembly to rewrite the constitution, similar to efforts in Venezuela and Bolivia, has set the scene for a major showdown with the political forces traditionally dominant in Ecuador. The Constituent Assembly, which is supported by upwards of 75% of Ecuadorians, has been hindered by the traditional parties that dominate the Congress and Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), which fear it will reduce their power.
The TSE deliberately dragged its heels on declaring the legality of a planned March 18 referendum on the Constituent Assembly, before handballing the decision to the Congress after hundreds of pro-assembly protesters broke into the courtroom on January 23. Congress, also hostile to Correa, has since been stalling on the bill, as the parties debate the exact powers that the assembly will have and attempt to water it down to ensure their continuing control.
On January 30, thousands of protesters stormed the Congress, demanding it pass the bill, chanting “Death to the rats!” and “Down with the Congress, yes to the assembly!” Authorities evacuated the building and dispersed protesters with tear-gas. Protesters were also incensed that members of Congress, regarded by most Ecuadorians as corrupt, had also just voted to increase their salaries.
On February 6, the Congress blocked a vote on the assembly. The Patriotic Society Party of former president Lucio Gutierrez, who was overthrown in a popular uprising in 2005, had previously promised to support the bill but refused to vote for it. The PSP is the second largest party in Congress with 24 out of 100 seats, giving it the balance of power. It is widely believed that the PSP’s support for the bill will be conditional on them gaining key positions in the assembly and in the government.
Correa, who described Gutierrez as a “viper”, has threatened that if the Congress continues to stall or doesn’t pass the bill, it will be bypassed. Vice-President Lenin Moreno has suggested that an “ad hoc” committee could be convoked to set the parameters for the Constituent Assembly. Correa has also threatened to call further mass demonstrations to force the Congress to pass the bill, saying “The fight here is between the Congress and 13 million Ecuadorians”.
The social movements are feeling similarly frustrated. Humberto Cholango, of the indigenous organisation ECUARUNARI, has threatened that an indigenous uprising could be organised to force the issue. Similar uprisings have led to the overthrow of three presidents in the last decade. ECUARUNARI, the main indigenous federation CONAIE and dozens of other social movements and organisations have united to form the National Front for the Plurinational Constituent Assembly. A massive march on Quito is planned for March 13 to demand the Congress obey the popular mandate.
Already under investigation is Brazil’s Petrobras, which holds the right to explore Oil Block 31, located in one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. Another target of the government’s ire is a mine planned by Ascendant Copper in Junin. Ascendant’s environmental impact statement was rejected in late 2006, and the company is also accused of using paramilitary groups to intimidate and assault local opponents of the mine.
On February 5, Ecuador announced that it will take Colombia to the International Court of Justice over the spraying of glyphosate near the border and over parts of Ecuador. In December last year, Ecuador temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Colombia over the issue. The spraying is part of the US-funded “war on drugs” and is designed to kill coca plants, the source of the raw material for cocaine. However, it also leads to massive environmental damage, birth defects and the poisoning of the watertable.
The government’s new budget, delivered on January 31, promised a $1 billion reduction in foreign debt payments and repeated the government’s intention to renegotiate much of the debt. The government also outlined a plan to reform the tax system, lowering the value-added tax from 12% to 10% while increasing company taxes. On February 1, Correa announced the doubling of social benefits to more than a million of the poorest and most vulnerable, including the sick and single mothers.
Correa has already suffered some setbacks, however. Banana-growers have protested his choice of agriculture minister, Carlos Vallejo — a former associate of Correa’s rival in last year’s presidential election, Alvaro Noboa. Noboa is Ecuador’s richest man and owns numerous banana plantations. He is accused of using child labour and violently breaking strikes. Another associate of Noboa’s, Francisco Cucalon, recently appointed attorney-general, resigned on January 31 amid protests by Correa and others that his appointment was unconstitutional.
Another setback for Correa was the death on January 24, after only nine days in office, of Guadalupe Larriva, Ecuador’s first ever female defence minister. Larriva died in a collision of two military helicopters near Manta air base. She was a former president of the Socialist Party of Ecuador and head of the teachers’ union, and had been planning to renovate the armed forces, including increasing wages for low-ranking soldiers.
An independent investigation initiated by the government found nothing suspicious about the death. Nevertheless, Correa has replaced the head of the army. He has appointed another woman, Lorena Escudero, as defence minister. Since coming to power, Correa has also replaced three police chiefs, the latest on January 27, as he attempts to reform an institution rife with corruption.
The most important part of Correa’s reform program, the convoking of an assembly to rewrite the constitution, similar to efforts in Venezuela and Bolivia, has set the scene for a major showdown with the political forces traditionally dominant in Ecuador. The Constituent Assembly, which is supported by upwards of 75% of Ecuadorians, has been hindered by the traditional parties that dominate the Congress and Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), which fear it will reduce their power.
The TSE deliberately dragged its heels on declaring the legality of a planned March 18 referendum on the Constituent Assembly, before handballing the decision to the Congress after hundreds of pro-assembly protesters broke into the courtroom on January 23. Congress, also hostile to Correa, has since been stalling on the bill, as the parties debate the exact powers that the assembly will have and attempt to water it down to ensure their continuing control.
On January 30, thousands of protesters stormed the Congress, demanding it pass the bill, chanting “Death to the rats!” and “Down with the Congress, yes to the assembly!” Authorities evacuated the building and dispersed protesters with tear-gas. Protesters were also incensed that members of Congress, regarded by most Ecuadorians as corrupt, had also just voted to increase their salaries.
On February 6, the Congress blocked a vote on the assembly. The Patriotic Society Party of former president Lucio Gutierrez, who was overthrown in a popular uprising in 2005, had previously promised to support the bill but refused to vote for it. The PSP is the second largest party in Congress with 24 out of 100 seats, giving it the balance of power. It is widely believed that the PSP’s support for the bill will be conditional on them gaining key positions in the assembly and in the government.
Correa, who described Gutierrez as a “viper”, has threatened that if the Congress continues to stall or doesn’t pass the bill, it will be bypassed. Vice-President Lenin Moreno has suggested that an “ad hoc” committee could be convoked to set the parameters for the Constituent Assembly. Correa has also threatened to call further mass demonstrations to force the Congress to pass the bill, saying “The fight here is between the Congress and 13 million Ecuadorians”.
The social movements are feeling similarly frustrated. Humberto Cholango, of the indigenous organisation ECUARUNARI, has threatened that an indigenous uprising could be organised to force the issue. Similar uprisings have led to the overthrow of three presidents in the last decade. ECUARUNARI, the main indigenous federation CONAIE and dozens of other social movements and organisations have united to form the National Front for the Plurinational Constituent Assembly. A massive march on Quito is planned for March 13 to demand the Congress obey the popular mandate.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Correa's challenge
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has promised radical change but faces heavy opposition in Congress that will test the patience of his constituency.
Commentary by Sam Logan for ISN Security Watch (06/02/07)
Even though he has only been in office since 15 January, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa - the country's ninth president in a decade - is feeling the pressure to make good on his election promises as his supporters and others clash with police.
Correa's supporters expect him to deliver results after listening to a number of promises made during his presidential campaign. At the top of the list is a popular referendum, which by his second day in office, Correa had announced his intention to call for 18 March. Ecuadorians would vote on a number of Correa's proposed reforms, including a Constitutional Assembly.
Defying Correa's order to move forward with the referendum, Ecuador's electoral court ruled that the request for a popular referendum must be passed by the Congress, where it will surely face crippling opposition.
On 30 January, students, workers and a mass of Correa's supporters forced their way in to Ecuador's congressional building, with sticks, rocks and bottles, chanting "death to the rats" and "down with Congress, yes to the popular assembly." Congressional leader Jorge Ceballos closed the legislature and accused the Correa administration of inciting the protesters. But such endorsement for the new president may be short-lived if he fails in his pledges.
Correa ran as an independent, standing on a platform that would rally the support of a number of smaller groups, from students and workers to indigenous rights groups. His political party, Alianza Pais (AP), has no representation in Congress, where his opponent, Alvaro Noboa, controls the largest block with 28 of 100 seats. The second largest block, with 24 seats, falls under the influence of former Ecuadorian president Lucio Gutierrez, who has presidential ambitions. Correa does not appear to have focused on building an alliance within Congress.
Instead, the president will likely circumvent congressional oversight through a Constituent Assembly. According to a 20 January Cedatos/Gallup poll, Correa's approval rating is currently above 70 percent, while that of Congress hovers just under 15 percent. With these numbers, Correa will have for a limited time the political capital necessary to push through a popular referendum. However, Congress is likely to dig in, knowing a Constitutional Assembly will likely call for early elections.
If Correa forces congressional elections by decision of an assembly, his popularity may hold long enough to gain backing in Congress. The rewards are great, but the risks are greater. Betting on popular support to outlast the legislatures' efforts to defend its position may result in a stalemate that would test Ecuadorians' patience. Correa knows how quickly popular support can turn into calls for his removal. Some of his predecessors lasted only three days.
But as Congress debates the popular referendum, Correa is already at work making good on smaller promises. He has begun cleaning out the top ranks of the national police, fulfilling his promise to root out corruption there.
In the aftermath of a helicopter crash on 24 January that killed Ecuadorian Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva, investigations revealed sloppy planning and Correa quickly dismissed Army Chief Pedro Machado.
By signing oil deals with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to improve Ecuador's refining process, Correa has sealed a geopolitical relationship between the two countries that for now will help Ecuador manage its oil assets. Deals with Venezuela will boost technical expertise and refining necessary to keep Ecuador's oil revenue flowing. Correa has taken the first steps toward the larger goal of placing more of Ecuador's oil assets under state control, and he will likely spend windfall oil revenue on social programs that will buoy approval ratings.
Correa has also said he would not sign a Free Trade Agreement with the US. He is also not likely to renew a US military lease to use the Ecuadorian airbase in Manta. Both are popular moves among his constituents.
Appeasing Ecuador's indigenous community, Correa announced on 5 February that his government would suspend contracts with any oil company that needlessly damaged the environment. His administration's first probe will be into the operations of a Brazilian company inside of one of Ecuador's natural preserves.
This list of measures and others scheduled to come in the next few weeks will keep Correa's approval ratings high for the foreseeable future. But the outcome of plans for a popular referendum will determine the end result of Correa's presidential term.
As Ecuador's Congress digs in, Correa is likely to stoke popular sentiment. But he must be careful. Correa's election shows that Ecuadorians demand radical change. And it is unclear how much time they are willing to give him to make good on his promises.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Ecuador Air Crash Report Ready
Quito, Jan 31 (Prensa Latina) The investigating Commission of the air incident in which the Ecuadorian Minister of Defense Guadalupe Larriva and her daughter Claudia along with other five officers died has finally finished the report on the tragic accident.
The document elaborated by experts from France, Chile, Venezuela and Ecuador will be submitted to President Rafael Correa after removal of the wreckage near Manta air base.
They are still searching for the reasons of the deaths, emphasized national media.
According to several radio station eyewitnesses the wreck occurred after one of the planes was closely following the other, and apparently hit it while trying to pass.
Meanwhile, Ecuadorian President appointed Lorena Escudero new minister of Defense in Cuencana.
The 41 year-old Escudero participated in Correa s electoral campaign in 2006 and in the elaboration of the statute for the Constituent Assembly.
The new minister is a political scientist doctorate in Latin American studies and a respected academic.
Like Larriva Escudero she is also from Cuenca and will be sworn in Thursday at the Corondelet Presidential Palace.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Ecuador names another police chief
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2007
Rafael Correa,
Correa, a leftist former economy minister who has promised to reform the agency hit by corruption scandals, replaced Paco Teran with Bolivar Cisneros late on Friday.
Teran had replaced Mario Moran, who was sacked after less than one day on the job.
"Many top police officers have had serious accusations of being linked to corruption and we want to tap on young officers with a new mentality," said the 43-year-old president on Saturday.
Some analysts said Cisneros may be the president's final choice to the top police job because Correa has successfully removed older officers from the institution.
An ally of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, Correa has asked senior police officers for their resignation letters.
A common practice in
Shake-up
But the officers have refused to comply. Some analysts say Correa may have decided to name each of them to the top job, then fire them to purge the police department without appearing to conduct a major shake-up.
Many Ecuadorians were attracted by Correa's call for change. But he could face a struggle with ministers who want to ensure he does not erode their political influence.
Death of a minister
Correa said on Saturday that he will name a woman to the top security job after the death of Guadalupe Larriva, the country's first female defence minister.
"It's important for the ministry to be headed by a woman. Guadalupe's maternal heart was able to do more than the strong hand of the generals," Correa said in his weekly radio interview show.
He said that the next minister will also come from Larriva's home
Guadalupe Larriva was killed in a mid-air collision of two helicopters after only nine days in office.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Ecuador: A Midair Collision and Correa's Balancing Act
January 25, 2007
Summary
Ecuadorian Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva died Jan. 24 when the military helicopter she was riding had a midair collision with another military helicopter. The government called for a thorough investigation of the incident, and Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has requested international assistance from France and Chile to legitimize the probe. The incident highlights Correa's shaky control of a country that has ejected three presidents in seven years.
Analysis
After only nine days in office, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva died Jan. 24 when the military helicopter she was riding in collided with another military helicopter in midflight. Larriva's 17-year-old daughter and five military personnel also were killed.
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa called for assistance from friendly countries in investigating the crash. Although the collision appears to have been accidental, Correa's need to call in international support emphasizes the delicate balance Correa must maintain between the powerful and potentially hostile legislature and the military.
Larriva, a former member of parliament and head of the Ecuadorian Socialist Party-Broad Front, was a popular Cabinet selection. She was Ecuador's first female defense minister, and was one of very few civilian leaders of its military. Correa hoped to use Larriva's appointment to strengthen presidential control over the military. To sweeten the deal, she had promised to raise salaries and increase transparency in the armed forces' promotional system.
Though nothing outwardly signals that the military would want Larriva dead, her position as Correa's tool for controlling a particularly coup-happy military establishment could have made her a prime target. Her death thus could have been meant as a warning to Correa.
Interior Minister Gustavo Larrea has said that two helicopters flying together, much less at night, is unusual. Larrea added that the government suspects one of the pilots made a bad maneuver, or that one of the helicopters suffered a mechanical malfunction, causing the collision
Though the incident is being called an accident within Ecuador, Correa's decision to ask foreigners to participate in the investigation testifies to his shaky position in Ecuador's sharply divided domestic political climate. Between 1996 and 2000, Ecuador had two military coups and four presidents, and since January 2000, Ecuador has seen four presidents and one brief military tribunal. Although Ecuadorian presidential terms last four years, Correa's three predecessors served only two years each, as public demonstrations pushed the legislature to revoke each president's mandate. Though the military has made few active moves to oust presidents or to threaten the democratic nature of the government in the past seven years, it has declined to suppress unrest, leading to the escalation of chaos and eventual calls for elections.
Correa has carefully chosen the countries asked to help investigate the incident. The helicopters were French-made, so Correa has requested that France send two technical specialists to survey the crash. Correa also requested a crash investigatory team from the Chilean air force. In selecting France and Chile, he has avoided the obvious choice of Ecuador's main ally in the region, Venezuela. One of the main critiques of Correa in the run-up to his election regarded questions about his ability to remain independent from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, something that remains a sensitive issue in Ecuador. Chavez, who has a propensity toward drama, has pursued a marked increase of his military's capacity and budget, both of which make involving Venezuela in this situation problematic for Correa.
The results of the investigation will heavily influence Correa's choice for Larriva's replacement. He likely will replace her with another civilian who is on board with his agenda. If the collision turns out to have resulted from foul play on the part of the military, however, Correa will be faced with a choice. He will either have to bargain, which will mean replacing Larriva with the military's first choice, or he will need to purge the military. And a purge might provoke a very strong military response.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Ecuador's defence minister dies in crash
Thursday Jan 25
Ecuador's first female defence minister was killed on Wednesday after only nine days in office in a mid-air collision of two helicopters, government and military officials said.
The accident in the Andean nation further rocks the leftist government of President Rafael Correa, who has clashed with Congress over his executive powers and prompted street protests since taking office along with his ministers on January 15.
Minister Guadalupe Larriva, a former teacher and senior official of a socialist political party supporting Correa, died in the crash in a Pacific coastal province east of
Correa wanted Larriva, one of only a few civilians to lead
Larriva, one of the most popular members of the Cabinet, had promised to strengthen presidential control of military ranks, improve salaries for the armed forces and make the promotions system more transparent.
Correa was flying from the southern port city of
Correa asked the country to "pray for the soul of Guadalupe, her daughter, her family and the government of
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