Ecuador
Ecuador, 1830 to today. Draft, not yet reviewed
The territory was colonized by the Spanish Empire during the 16th century, achieving independence in 1820 as part of Gran Colombia, from which it emerged as a sovereign state in 1830. The Liberal Revolution of 1895 under Eloy Alfaro reduced the power of the clergy and the conservative land owners. This liberal wing retained power until the military "Julian Revolution" of 1925. The country is a founding member of the United Nations, Organization of American States, Mercosur, PROSUR, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Seat of power: Quito
Rulers
Juan José Flores
President of Ecuador, 1830–1834
He became the first President of the new Republic of Ecuador in 1830 and is often referred to as "The Founder of the Republic" or "Founder of Ecuador."
Portrait of Juan José Flores: Banrepcultural, CC BY 2.0, file
Vicente Rocafuerte
President of Ecuador, 1834–1839
During his presidency, Rocafuerte passed a new constitution in 1835, and gave greater protection to Native Americans in Ecuador.
Portrait of Vicente Rocafuerte: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Juan José Flores
President of Ecuador, 1839–1845
After electoral irregularities in 1843, Flores annulled the 1835 constitution and passed a new one, called by Rocafuerte 'The Letter of Slavery'.
Portrait of Juan José Flores: Banrepcultural, CC BY 2.0, file
Gabriel García Moreno
President of Ecuador, 1861–1865
In 1861, his presidential position was confirmed in a popular election for a four-year term. He is noted for his conservatism, nationalism, Catholic religious perspective and rivalry with liberal strongman Eloy Alfaro.
Portrait of Gabriel García Moreno: Presidencia de la República del Ecuador, Public domain, file
Gabriel García Moreno
President of Ecuador, 1869–1875
His administration made education compulsory and free in 1871.
Portrait of Gabriel García Moreno: Presidencia de la República del Ecuador, Public domain, file
Antonio Flores Jijón
President of Ecuador, 1888–1892
He was the 13th President of Ecuador from 17 August 1888 to 30 June 1892. He was a member of the Progressive Party, a Liberal Catholic party.
Portrait of Antonio Flores Jijón: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Eloy Alfaro
President of Ecuador, 1895–1901
In this uprising, he deposed President Vicente Lucio Salazar and declared himself a dictator on 5 June 1895 and was later named constitutional president from 17 January 1897 until 1 September 1901. Alfaro led the modernization of Ecuadorian society through the introduction of new ideas, education, and systems of public transport and communication, including the engineering feat of the Transandino Railway linking Guayaquil with Quito.
Portrait of Eloy Alfaro: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Leónidas Plaza
President of Ecuador, 1901–1905
He was the President of Ecuador from 1 September 1901 to 31 August 1905.
Portrait of Leónidas Plaza: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
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Eloy Alfaro
President of Ecuador, 1906–1911
Alfaro's major political legacies are considered to be strengthened national unity, securing the integrity of Ecuador's borders, and the increased secularization of the country.
Portrait of Eloy Alfaro: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Leónidas Plaza
President of Ecuador, 1912–1916
He was President of Ecuador from 1 September 1912 to 31 August 1916, his second term. His son Galo Plaza was also president of Ecuador.
Portrait of Leónidas Plaza: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno
President of Ecuador, 1916–1920
Holding numerous positions in public office, Baquerizo was one of Ecuador's most respected Presidents. Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno served as President of the National Congress of Ecuador for 9 terms, more than any other figure in history.
Portrait of Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Isidro Ayora
President of Ecuador, 1926–1931
He served as the 22nd President of Ecuador from 1926 to 1931. Some people call coins ayora because they were introduced by him.
Portrait of Isidro Ayora: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
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Carlos Arroyo
President of Ecuador, 1939–1944
During his term, the country decisively lost the 1941 Ecuadorian–Peruvian War. Ecuador was forced to sign highly unfavorable peace terms at the 1942 Inter-American Conference in Rio de Janeiro, renouncing 200,000 square kilometres of territory. He engaged in repression against the political opposition, and a popular revolt led to his ousting.
Portrait of Carlos Arroyo: Marium Alberto, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
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Rafael Correa
President of Ecuador, 2007–2017
He oversaw the introduction of a new constitution, being reelected in 2009 and again in the 2013 general election. Using its own form of 21st century socialism, Correa's administration increased government spending, reducing poverty, raising the minimum wage and increasing Ecuador's standard of living. By the end of Correa's tenure, the 50% drop in the price of oil since 2014 had caused Ecuador's economy to enter a recession, resulting in government spending being slashed.
Daniel Noboa
President of Ecuador, 2023 to today
Noboa went on to win nearly 52% of the vote in the run-off, defeating González on 15 October 2023. Noboa has adopted a militarized approach to crime in Ecuador, frequently invoking states of emergency, expanding the military role in internal security, weakened judicial institutions, and raising human rights concerns. Supporters say his approach has helped to fight crime, while critics say Noboa is an autocrat and accuse him of human rights violations, centralization of power and undermining press freedom.
Portrait of Daniel Noboa: Juan Montenegro/Presidencia de la República, CC0, file
Culture
- Spanish is the official language spoken by a majority of the population, although 13 native languages are also recognized, including Quechua and Shuar.
- In recognition of its unique ecological heritage, the new constitution of 2008 is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable rights of nature.
- The legacy of both empires is reflected in Ecuador's ethnically diverse population, with most of its 17.8 million people being mestizos, followed by large minorities of European, Indigenous, African, and Asian descendant.
Picture
Carondelet Palace is the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador, located in Quito.
Image: Taty2007, CC BY 3.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.