Ecuador: our political encounters and brief history

By: Emily (Tierra entre de los Ojos)

KEY WORDS: Ecuador, politics, history, Rafael Correa, Francisco Pizzaro, strike, military rule, president

Our Encounters

Just a few days ago, Kether’s mom sent us an email warning us about some political upheaval occurring concerning Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa. Correa was being held hostage in Quito, the country’s police force was on strike, national airports were closed, and the Peruvian and Colombian borders closedwere blocked. At the time, we were in a small coastal town in a bit of a different world.

Initially we worried we would be stuck in Ecuador for another month or more. We feared we would not be able to make our way along the coast due to general lawlessness and no police enforcement. Upon returning to our campsite, we were reassured by locals that, “this stuff happens all the time,” they encouraged us not to worry, all would be forgotten by the morning.” Much to our disbelief, the next day, borders and airports re-opened, president Correa remained in good health, and we encountered several policemen who acted as though nothing had occurred at all. The following article gives some good insight as to the international drama that ensued as a result of this incident and the realities of government and politics in Ecuador:

http://internationalliving.com/2010/10/revolution-in-ecuador-facts-from-the-ground/

Ecuador’s History and Politics

To tell the entirety of Ecuador’s history would require me to write you a novel. I have the feeling none of you are interested in a 100-page blog. Therefore, I give you the following short synopsis of Ecuador’s cultural and economic history, in hopes that you may form some idea as to why these types of issues are common in this small yet geographically diverse country.

HISTORY

The history of Ecuador can be split into 5 major parts: 1) Pre-Colombian, 2) The Conquest, 3) The Colonial Period, 4) The War of Independence, and 5) The Republican Era.

The “Pre-Colombian” period encompasses the time from the last ice age through 4200BC. This time was dominated by two hunter-gatherer cultures. The first, the Las Vegas Culture, lived near the coast and the second, the Inga Cultures, lived near present-day Quito. These cultures thrived off fishing in the Pacific and trade routes in the Andes. They were somewhat nomadic, and between 6000-3500BC slowly developed more permanent establishments as the use of ceramics and advancements in agricultural abilities became prevalent. By 3500BC new cultures thrived throughout Ecuador: the Machalilla, Valdivia, and Chorrera Cultures on the coast and the Cotocollao and Chimba Cultures where the Inga peoples once dominated.

Over the next few thousand years, these cultures further expanded through the time of the Inca. The Incan empire was a sophisticated and complex culture that stretched from its origin in Peru as far as Bolivia and central Chile to northern Ecuador. Their dynamic society was able to establish a vast Andean empire in just one century. As we travel into Peru, we will discuss the Inca in more depth.

“The Conquest” began in 1531 when the Spanish, led by Francisco Pizzaro, landed in Ecuador. Over the next few years, Spanish conquistadors broke the Inca Empire and took over the Andean region as their own. Introducing Catholicism, colonial architecture, and today’s national language, Spanish Governors ruled the region for the next 300 years, “The Colonial Period.”

“The War of Independence” won Ecuador’s freedom from Spain in 1822 when Simon Bolivar led troops to defeat a Spanish army at the Battle of Pichincha. Bolivar united Ecuador with today’s Venezuela and Colombia forming the state of Gran Colombia. His dream was to unite the entirety of South America as a constitutional republic. After 8 years of struggle towards his goal, Bolivar realized the continent was too divided. Eventually Ecuador seceded from the union, followed shortly by Colombia and Venezuela. Today, Bolivar continues to be a famed leader throughout the Andes, from Venezuela to Chile.

“The Republican Era” makes up the last ~200 years and is exemplified by the following political depictions.

Politics

In 1860, Ecuador’s government was dominated by conservatism. By the late 19^th century, governmental rule shifted to liberal leadership. Liberalism continued through the early 20^th century. In 1934, José María Velasco Ibarra was elected president. Serving a sporadic 5 periods of presidency, Velasco remained in office for only 11 months of his first term. Overthrown by the military, Velasco’s first term marks Ecuador’s initiation into nearly a century of inconsistent leadership. Until 1979 when Ecuador returned to a democracy, a variety of institutions ruled Ecuador’s people and economy including dictatorships like Velasco’s and military control.

From 1972 to 1979, Ecuador was run by the military. During this time, Ecuador’s economy entered a booming period. The government budget expanded some 540 percent, simultaneously exports as well as per capita income increased 500 percent. Industrial development also progressed, stimulated by the new oil wealth as well as Ecuador's preferential treatment under the provisions of the Andean Common Market. In some ways, this economic boom also devastated the Ecuadorian people. Under military rule, nearly 60% of the country’s forests were cut down andthe land was sold to companies outside Ecuador. Export and import taxes were raised on goods produced by Ecuadorians and not on those generated by landowners outside of Ecuador. The high taxes divided the people, creating a significant gap in economic classes throughout the country.

Following the return to democracy in 1979, political parties split, bureaucracy grew shady, and corruption proliferated. As the economic situation deteriorated beginning in the 1980s, voters blamed politicians for their troubles. This trend has led to inconsistent economic and political policies from one administration to the next. In addition, the 10 years that precede Rafael Correa’s presidency, not one president-elect finished his term. Correa, a left-leaning, U.S.-trained economist, was inaugurated as President of Ecuador on January 15, 2007, and is still in office today.

Discussion

Reflect on the events we have encountered. Think about Ecuador’s history and political past. Tell us what you think. Do you see any correlations between current events and past history? Or not? What would you do if you were president of Ecuador?