Rafael Correa
President of Ecuador
Incumbent
Assumed office  15 January 2007
Vice President(s)	Lenín Moreno
Preceded by	Alfredo Palacio
Born	6 April 1963 Guayaquil
Political party	Alianza PAIS
Spouse	Anne Malherbe

Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (born 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil) ^[1]is the President of the Republic of Ecuador. A trained economist, he previously served as the country's finance minister. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 531 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (641 × 724 pixel, file size: 191 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Juan José Flores 1830-1834 Vicente Rocafuerte 1834-1839 Juan José Flores 1839-1845 José Joaquín de Olmedo 1845 Vicente Ramón Roca 1845-1849 Manuel de Ascásubi 1849-1850 Diego Noboa 1850-1851 José María Urbina 1851-1856 Francisco Robles 1856-1859 Gabriel García 1859... The incumbent, in politics, is the current holder of a political office. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Lenín Moreno is the Vice-President elect of Ecuador. ... Teachers campaign outside of Palacios presidential palace in August 2005 Luis Alfredo Palacio González (born January 22, 1939) is the current President of Ecuador. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... Juan José Flores 1830-1834 Vicente Rocafuerte 1834-1839 Juan José Flores 1839-1845 José Joaquín de Olmedo 1845 Vicente Ramón Roca 1845-1849 Manuel de Ascásubi 1849-1850 Diego Noboa 1850-1851 José María Urbina 1851-1856 Francisco Robles 1856-1859 Gabriel García 1859...

Background

Correa earned an Economics degree at the Catholic University of Guayaquil in 1987. Following his degree, he worked for one year in a mission and welfare center run by the Salesian order in Cotopaxi Province, where he acquired some knowledge of Quichua, the language of the majority of the native pre-Columbian population concentrated in the Andes region. In addition to Spanish and Quichua, he is fluent in French and English. ^[2] This article is about the city of Guayaquil. ... St. ... Cotopaxi is one of the provinces of Ecuador. ... Quechua (also Runasimi language of people) is a Native American language of South America. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Correa received a Master's degree in Economics from the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium), and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (United States) in 2001. According to The Washington Post, Correa's adviser at the University of Illinois, Werner Baer, supports his former student. "He appreciates the market to a certain point, but he knows that the market left alone concentrates wealth," he said. "He is not going to do anything foolish... because he is a fairly open-minded person."^[3] This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Catholic University of Leuven (french-speaking). ... Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. ... The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), is the largest campus in the University of Illinois system. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. ... Werner Baer is an economist at the University of Illinois. ...

In 2005, Correa served as economy and finance minister under his predecessor, President Alfredo Palacio. During his four months in office, he advocated poverty reduction and economic sovereignty. Correa was skeptical of a free-trade deal with the U.S.A., defied the advice of the International Monetary Fund, and worked to increase Ecuador's cooperation with other Latin American countries. He resigned from Palacio's government after the World Bank withheld a loan (citing the changes to the oil income stabilization fund). Correa had also proposed the issue of bonds at a lower interest rate than was current at the time (8.5%); Venezuela was to purchase half of the new bond issue. Correa claimed in his resignation letter that the sale was done with full presidential authorization, but cited lack of support from the president as a factor in his decision to resign.^[4] A minister or a secretary is a politician who heads a government ministry or department (e. ... Teachers campaign outside of Palacios presidential palace in August 2005 Luis Alfredo Palacio González (born January 22, 1939) is the current President of Ecuador. ... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

The decision by Palacio to ask for his resignation was seen by some political analysts as a concession by Palacio to pressure by the U.S.A. When Correa resigned, polls showed he had the highest credibility of any official in the administration, with 57% of Ecuadorians saying that they trusted him.^[5]

Rafael Correa chatting with an American boarding student in Cuenca

Image File history File linksMetadata IMG_0403. ... Image File history File linksMetadata IMG_0403. ...

2006 presidential campaign

At the start of 2006 presidential campaign, Rafael Correa founded the Alianza PAIS—Patria Altiva i Soberana ("Proud and Sovereign Fatherland Alliance"). The new party espouses political sovereignty and regional integration, and economic relief for Ecuador's poor. Correa, an observant Roman Catholic, describes himself as a humanist and Christian of the left. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Humanism[1] is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities—particularly rationality. ... The Christian Left or Religious Left are terms used to describe those who hold a strong Christian belief and share left-wing, liberal, or socialist ideals. ...

During the campaign, Correa's proposed a constituent assembly to rewrite Ecuador's constitution.^[6] Alianza PAIS did not run any congressional candidates, as Correa had stated that he would call for a referendum to begin drafting a new constitution. However, the Alianza PAIS movement signed a political alliance with the Ecuadorian Socialist Party, which did present candidates for Congress.^[7] A constituent assembly is a body elected with the purpose of drafting, and in some cases, adopting a constitution. ... The Ecuadorian Socialist Party-Broad Front (Partido Socialista Ecuatoriano-Frente Amplio) is a political party in Ecuador. ...

On economic policy, Correa called for reform of the oil industry, including an increase in the percentage of oil revenues for the Ecuadorian poor, following the reforms of the Hydrocarbons Law promoted by former Economy and Finance Minister Diego Borja. He accused foreign oil companies operating in Ecuador of failing to meet existing environmental and investment regulations. In an interview, Correa stated: Diego Borja Cornejo was born in Quito, Ecuador, on May 1, 1964. ...

Many of the oil contracts are a true entrapment for the country. Of every five barrels of oil that the multinationals produce, they leave only one for the state and take four... That is absolutely unacceptable. We're going to revise and renegotiate the contracts." He advocated reform of the financial sector, including limiting offshore deposits by local banks to no more than 10% of their holdings.^[8]

Correa also proposed strategies for reducing the burden of Ecuador's foreign debt service, through compulsory debt restructuring; however, he stated he would favor giving priority to social development.^[9]

Correa criticized the neoliberal policies of recent Ecuadorian presidents, especially Jamil Mahuad. He criticized the decision by President Mahuad in 2000 to adopt the U.S. dollar as the country's official currency but, in late 2006, he acknowledged that it would not be feasible to abandon that policy. For the school of international relations, see Neoliberalism (international relations). ... Jamil Mahuad Witt (born 1949) was President of Ecuador from August 10, 1998 to January 21, 2000. ... Dollarization occurs when the inhabitants of a country use foreign currency in parallel to or instead of the domestic currency. ...

Correa also criticized Ecuador's draft free trade agreement as currently negotiated with the United States,^[10] although he does advocate expanding trade and opening markets with other countries, urging in particular the integration of South American economies.^[11]

On foreign policy, Correa commented on Ecuador's relations with its neighbor Colombia. Correa stressed Ecuador's interest in staying uninvolved in internal conflict in Colombia.^[12] In October 2006, Correa added that he would "pursue and capture" FARC members if they enter Ecuador. He also declared that he condemns their kidnappings, violations of human rights and bombings.^[13] The FARC-EPs flag The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – Peoples Army, or FARC-EP) is a militant and revolutionary guerrilla group established in 1964-1966 as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party, and is Colombias...

Correa also commented on Ecuadorian-Venezuelan relations. In August 2006, Correa told the Ecuadorian press that he is not part of the Venezuelan Bolivarian movement, although he considers Hugo Chávez a personal friend.^[14] In response to Chávez's comparison of President Bush with Satan, Correa said it was unfair to the devil.^[15] Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco (born July 24, 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela; died December 17, 1830 in Santa Marta, Colombia) was a South American revolutionary leader. ... Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (IPA: ) (born July 28, 1954) is the current President of Venezuela. ...

On U.S.-Ecuadorian relations, Correa pledged to shut down the U.S. military base in Manta, where 400 U.S. soldiers are stationed as part of the Eloy Alfaro Air Base Manta is a mid size city of Ecuador, in the Manabí Province. ... Manta Air Base (also known as Eloy Alfaro Air Base) (IATA: MEC, ICAO: SEMT) is a combination civilian airport and military air base on the outskirts of Manta in the province of Manabí in western continental Ecuador. ...

In addition to his platform on economic and social policy, Correa's ability to communicate with Ecuador's indigenous population in their own language also differentiated him from the other presidential candidates. He learned Quichua in his youth during a year he spent volunteering in a remote highland town.^[16] However, in the 15 October election, a large percentage of the votes in areas with high concentration of indigenous people went to candidate Gilmar Gutiérrez, brother of former president Lucio Gutiérrez, although Correa generally ran second in these areas.^[17] Quechua (also Runasimi language of people) is a Native American language of South America. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (born March 23, 1957), Ecuadorian soldier and politician. ...

In the 15 October 2006 general election Correa obtained second place (22.84%) behind banana tycoon Álvaro Noboa (26.83%). Correa won the subsequent 26 November 2006 runoff election with 56.67% of the vote.^[18] He took office on 15 January 2007. is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... On 15 October 2006, Ecuador held a general election. ... Alvaro Noboa Álvaro Noboa (born November 1, 1950 in Guayaquil) is an Ecuadorian businessman and politician. ... is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Runoff voting is a voting system used in single-seat elections. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Presidency

Rafael Correa was officially declared president of Ecuador on 4 December by the country's electoral court. He was sworn in on 15 January 2007 as the 56th president of Ecuador, the seventh to occupy the post since the legislature removed President Abdalá Bucaram 10 years earlier in the midst of a debt crisis that devastated the country. December 4th redirects here. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Juan José Flores 1830-1834 Vicente Rocafuerte 1834-1839 Juan José Flores 1839-1845 José Joaquín de Olmedo 1845 Vicente Ramón Roca 1845-1849 Manuel de Ascásubi 1849-1850 Diego Noboa 1850-1851 José María Urbina 1851-1856 Francisco Robles 1856-1859 Gabriel García 1859... Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortiz (born February 20, 1952 in Guayaquil) is an Ecuadorian lawyer and politician, He was also a sprinter in the 1972 Olympic team, the police chief of Guayas and the president of Barcelona Sporting Club, a soccer team from his hometown. ...

Correa has called for a renegotiation of Ecuador's $10.2 billion external debt, although this external debt is relatively manageable, at 25 % of GDP^[19] following the example of Argentine President Néstor Kirchner. In his inaugural address on 15 January, Correa stated his belief that part of Ecuador's external debt is illegitimate, because it was contracted by military regimes.^[20] He also denounced the "so-called Washington Consensus."^[21] Correa has threatened to default on Ecuador's foreign debt, and to suspend review of the country's economy by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund;^[22] indeed, on 26 April 2007, he ordered the expulsion from Ecuador of the World Bank's country manager.^[23]  , full name Néstor Carlos Kirchner Ostoic (born 25 February 1950), is the President of Argentina, sworn in on May 25, 2003. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Washington Consensus is a phrase initially coined in 1987-88 by John Williamson to describe a relatively specific set of ten economic policy prescriptions that he considered to constitute a standard reform package promoted for crisis-wracked countries by Washington-based institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World... ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

On May 2007, evidence surfaced that some of the Ecuadorian government rhetoric might have been part of an alleged market manipulation to benefit Venezuelan banks from movements in the price of financial instruments linked to Ecuadorian Bonds. This led to an impeachment proceeding against Finance Minister, Ricardo Patiño.^{[24] [25]}

Since 2007, President Correa has been the Vice President of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an intergovernmental organisation based in Italy (see [3]and [4]).

He has indicated his intention to cooperate with UFO enthusiasts in the investigation of two UFO related incidents in Ecuador. ^[26] UFO can mean: Unidentified flying object United Future Organization, a Japanese-Brazilian electronic jazz band UFO, the rock band that previously featured Michael Schenker UFO, the Gerry Anderson TV series United Farmers of Ontario, a political party that formed the government in Ontario from 1919 to 1923 U.F.O...

Correa's administration has suggested that the new government will not sign an agreement allowing the International Monetary Fund to monitor its economic plan. In February 2007, Correa's economy minister Ricardo Patiño stated: "I have no intention ... of accepting what some governments in the past have accepted: that (the IMF) tell us what to do on economic policy." "That seems unacceptable to us," Patiño added. However, as a member of the IMF, the annual report know as the "Article IV" report will be undertaken.^[27] This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

In February 2007, Correa's plan to have a referendum on the convening of a constituent assembly was approved by Congress. The referendum took place on 15 April 2007. However, after this date was set, the "statutes" for the referendum were modified by Correa to allow more powers to the constitutional assembly (if it formed).^[28] One of these powers was the ability to dismiss Congress, a power which Congress never approved. The newer version of the referendum was approved by the majority of the seven-seat electoral tribunal. In early March, Congress, which was primarily controlled by Correa's opposition, reacted by attempting to impeach four members of the electoral tribunal.^[29] The electoral tribunal, in turn, responded by removing from office the 57 members of Congress who voted against the referendum, alleging that they were obstructing electoral processes. Correa backed the electoral tribunal (which approved his version of the referendum) while stating that the removal of the 57 congressmen was constitutional. The situation escalated to a feud between the opposition in Congress and the Executive and marches in the street against Congress, including the shooting of opposition supporters. ^{[30] [31]} A referendum on establishing a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the constitution was held in Ecuador on 15 April 2007,[1] although it had originally been planned for 18 March 2007. ... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government. ...

On 22 March, 21 alternate deputies were sworn in, allowing the Congress to regain quoracy, and on 23 March and 24 March a further 20 deputies were sworn in. The new majority (formed by 28 alternate deputies and 31 deputies from parties that support the referendum and Assembly) pledged to support the referendum on the Constitutional Assembly. ^[32] On 15 April Ecuadoreans voted overwhelmingly (81.72% in favor) to support the election of a constitutional assembly.^[33] March 22 is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ...

On 23 April, the Constitutional Tribunal decided to try to reinstate 51 of the 57 Congressmen who had been thrown out office by the Electoral Tribunal. The Constitutional Tribunal claims that it was illegal to remove them in the first place, and thus they approved a petition that 51 of the 57 had signed requesting their reinstatement. ^[34] Before the supposedly reinstated congressmen had the chance to enter back into Congress, Congress voted to fire all nine judges of the Constitutional Tribunal for their "unconstitutional actions." ^[35] April 23 is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Relationship with the Press

Correa has stated that the Ecuadorian press is "... mediocre, incompetent, inaccurate, lying and is a part of the structure of corruption and accomplice of the national disaster." ^[36][37] He has regularly insisted in such critical line.^[38] On May 19, during a press conference called by Correa to talk about freedom of speech, he ordered that policemen in plain clothes eject the opinion editor of the Guayaquil based El Universo newspaper, whom he had invited to the event. ^[39] Video

Correa declared that he would have no doubt in revoking the license to "coup instigating" television stations following the example of Hugo Chavez when he took RCTV of the air. ^[40] President Hugo Chávez Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (born July 28, 1954) has been the President of Venezuela since 1999. ... Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) is a Venezuelan television network headquartered in the Caracas neighborhood of Quinta Crespo. ...

Lawsuit against the La Hora newspaper

On 10 May 2007 Correa filed a lawsuit against Francisco Vivanco Riofrío, president of the board of directors of the Quito-based La Hora newspaper, over an editorial published in the paper on March 9. The editorial, titled “Official Vandalism,” said that Correa intended to rule Ecuador “with turmoil, rocks and sticks.” The daily’s piece described the president’s behavior as “shameful.”^[41] is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Correa's suit is based on Article 230 of the country’s penal code that sets prison penalties of up to two years for contempt, expressed in “threats or libel that would offend the president.” ^[42] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Criminal Code. ...

Francisco Vivanco Riofrío has declared that he will not apologize for the editorial and that he is prepared to face the lawsuit. He has also declared that "that editorial reflects our thoughts and we will defend not only our right to manifest our opinions but also the opinions of all citizens, as we have done during the 25 years of our newspaper existence.” ^[43]

Reactions to the lawsuit

In connection with Correa's complaint against La Hora, the Ecuadorian Association of Newspaper Publishers (AEDEP), has shown its support for that newspaper and declared that "no contemporary Ecuadorian politician has employed such legal figure (contempt) as an instrument to frighten the press."^[44]

- The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has declared that it is "a clumsy step on the part of the Ecuadorean president to file a criminal charge against a news outlet, accusing it of contempt, an archaic concept in a modern democracy and outmoded in Latin America and which should be eliminated from penal codes, as the IAPA has been insisting." ^[45] The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) is a press advocacy group representing media organizations in North America, South America and the Caribbean. ...

- The Committee to Protect Journalists has also protested against Correa's lawsuit: “Fear of criminal penalties will inhibit the Ecuadoran press in reporting and commenting on issues of public interest. We call on President Correa to drop the libel suit against Vivanco and repeal defamation laws that contradict international standards on freedom of expression.” ^[46] The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization based in New York which is dedicated to promoting press freedom worldwide and defending the right of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. ...

- The World Press Freedom Committee has declared that "it is clear that this attempt to silence the [Ecuadorian] press goest against very basic freedom of the press tenets, as consagrated in at least two of the most important international human right charts."^[47]

Incarceration of a private citizen

On June 14, 2007, a private citizen, Xavier Ordoñez, was incarcerated under orders of President Correa, for supposedly having insulted Correa's motorcade as it went towards the airport. This was based on an archaic article of the Penal Code, which makes it a felony offense, punishable with up to two years of jail, to "offend the majesty" of the Presidency or other government officials. After five days of incarceration, Mr. Ordoñez was set free by a judge, who determined that proper legal procedure had not been followed. However, the article in the penal code (which is the same used against the "La Hora" newspaper) still remains in place.^[48]

Footnotes

October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 2 is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (71st in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Category:Rafael Correa

• (Spanish) and (Kichwa) Official web site of the President of Ecuador
• (Spanish) and (Kichwa) Official campaign web site
• "The resignation of Rafael Correa, Ecuador’s Economy Minister: an example of IFI’s influence?"
• Ecuador's Presidential Election: Background on Economic Issues, issue brief from the Center for Economic and Policy Research
• MSNBC, "Leftward Tilt: Political Shift in Latin America"