By Michael Burgevin
Just four years after entering Ecuador’s political arena, President Rafael Correa won the country's first consecutive reelection since the 19th century. Although not all results have been counted, Correa's significant lead over his closest rival, former President Lucio Gutierrez, guarantees him a second term as president. The Correa announced his plan to protect of the poor and stabilize Ecuador’s economy in the coming year. “We’re here for the poor,” said Correa last night. “Our commitment is to end the misery and to leave behind a more just, equal, and dignified country with greater solidarity.”
Correa swept into power in 2006 on a platform of repairing Ecuador’s corrupt government. Since his first term, the President has successfully rewritten the constitution, centralized power around himself, and subdued an unruly legislature that ousted the previous three presidents. Michael Shifter, Vice President of Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, questioned Correa's decision to centralize power. “For now such a trade-off seems acceptable for most Ecuadoreans,” he told The New York Times. “But when economic conditions worsen, there may be greater discontent with virtually one-man rule.”
Many analysts agree that Correa could quickly loose his public support if he is forced to cut back on social spending after the election. The global financial crisis will take its toll on the national economy this year. Ecuador is the smallest member of OPEC. 40 percent of the country’s GDP comes from the sale of oil, which has fallen in value by 65 percent since last year. The President ruined any hope private investment in the Ecuadorian government after defaulting on billions of dollars in foreign debt last December.
Although the country has demonstrated a rising need for outside economic support, Correa has spurned many go-to lenders such as the World Bank and the IMF, which he lambasted for being “exploitative.” He may still turn to multilateral organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank to help maintain the country's social spending. Correa has also engaged in talks with China. Beijing recently offered the country $1 billion in exchange for oil drilling rights.
Ecuador’s relationship with the United States has been rocky at best. Earlier this year, Correa expelled a mid-level U.S. diplomat after the man threatened to pull U.S. aid to Ecuador’s anti-drug police force during the final days of the Bush administration. Correa has also refused to renew a U.S. lease on an airbase in Ecuador. The base is used to combat narcotrafficking in Latin America. There have been no other notable interactions between the two countries since President Obama took power earlier this year.
Rachel here --
ReplyDeleteInteresting and well-covered topic, Michael
I found this Latin American Press excerpt telling.. that not only are Correa's politics increasingly left and radical, but that even leftists are concerned about his power gains:
"Right-wing politicians are not the only ones who see Correa´s victory as a threat. Some leftists say Correa has gained too much control over the government since he captured a majority in the National Assembly.
For Martha Roldós, the presidential candidate of the Ethical and Democratic Network and Democratic Pole alliance, which came in fourth, said his government is rife with high-level corruption and is responsible for dwindling public funds.
Environmental activists, once staunch supporters of Correa´s, complain that his policies are a threat to nature, particularly his support of mining and oil exploration and exploitation projects. His government also temporarily shuttered the country´s largest environmental organization, Acción Ecológica, after it was critical to his government.
Correa lost the vote in all of the country´s Amazon provinces, where most of Ecuador´s oil production is centered, and with such strong political support and control, the environment – despite his firm commitment to the country´s poor – could turn out to be his Achilles´ Heel. —" (http://www.latinamericapress.org/articles.asp?art=5847)