Somos una revista independiente que sobrevive gracias a tu apoyo. ¿Quieres ser parte de este proyecto? ¡Bríndanos un café al mes!
elecciones ecuador
elecciones ecuador

Ecuador, a divided country

The second electoral round in Ecuador —which concluded with less than two advantage points in favor of the government’s candidate Lenin Boltaire Moreno against the opponent Guillermo Lasso— demonstrated the deep fracture in that country’s society.

It is not an unprecedented situation in Ecuador, as it has not been in other nations; but it is not though less serious and dangerous for the future of its population.

We have recently witnessed a similar division in the United States, with an even worse condition, considering that although most people voted in favor of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump was the winner. Despite the deep discontent caused by the rise to the White House of the current President though, voices of protest that spoke of possible fraud were quickly silenced.

The situation is very much different in Latin America, where many elections are tainted by suspicion. In Ecuador, fears and mistrust have deep roots, and differences within the population are so salient that understanding and dialogue between the parties seems impossible.

During the electoral campaign, while Lasso’s followers invoked the specter of the “chavista” Venezuela, those who supported Lenin drew the ghost of Macri. The truth is that no country is like another one; no government is the same as the other. Despite the friendship between Correa, Chavez, and then Maduro, despite the authoritarian and often rude attitude of the three Presidents, there is a big difference between the economic and political management that each of them has developed in recent years. Although economic crisis has hit and hits Ecuador strongly, its  quality of life cannot be compared, even remotely, with Venezuela’s.

The fact remains that these elections have left a bitter taste in many Ecuadorians. The impossibility for the government candidate to win in the first round has shown the degree of tiredness of a society that has spent the last years in a climate of extreme pugnacity. Far away are the times when former President Correa’s wide popularity definitely seemed to corner the opposition.

It is quite possible that many of the votes received by Lenin rather than responding to genuine support for his candidacy were motivated by a deep distrust of Lasso and all he represents. It is the part of the population that although tired of certain excesses of Correa’s government, was afraid of leaving the country’s destiny in the hands of someone who reminded them of a past with great inequities, and of loosing the social conquests that the outgoing government has objectively attained.

The difference in votes is so small however that it is difficult to accept defeat. From the very moment the National Electoral Council declared Lenin’s victory, the CREO-SUMA opposition movement candidate, is asking for the counting of votes. It is a right granted by the Constitution, but his claims seem bound to failure as international organizations such as the OAS have already deemed the results valid.

In the next few months, Lasso and his followers must rather organize a serious, firm opposition, capable not only of detecting and counteracting Lenin Moreno’s possible populist drifts, similar to those that have accompanied Correa’s presidency, but of building alternative political projects that dissipate the fears and concerns of the population in next electoral processes.

For his part, it is to be expected that the new Head of State, who has already begun distancing himself from both his predecessor Correa and the “chavista” Venezuela, understands that the president of a democratic country is not a king, that the country belongs to all, and that everyone has the right to speak, to express their ideas and criticism. We hope he builds bridges of understanding with the press; even with the most critical one, because a democracy without a free press is no democracy.

Only with a government of understanding, respect and collaboration can Ecuador achieve the development it deserves, and face the problems stemming from oil prices, which are still too low to keep driving forward the social programs of its predecessor. The new President must necessarily seek an understanding with the private enterprise, and handle external credit with extreme care, particularly the one coming from China —a nation now occupying in Latin America many of the spaces that were in the hands of US or European Union capital— that, like all the others, does not do so for free. And he will not be able to dismiss the profound change in the political balance of the region.

Internal serenity, foresight and prudence in foreign policy will be the only ways leading the country towards growth. Education and freedom of thought will be two other areas testing the leadership capacity of the new Head of State.

Let us hope, in short, that Lenin Moreno will assume the role of President, and not the one of a party leader; that he be capable of repairing instead of widening the existing fractures; and that he be strong to resist the mermaids’ songs of the power that blinds.


Photo Credits: Agencia de Noticias ANDES

Hey you,
¿nos brindas un café?