The government in the country of Ecuador is like that of the United States in that both are democracies, and the government is divided into Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches. There is also an autonomous Electoral Agency (Tribunal Supremo Electoral). Ecuador is a Presidential (as opposed to Parliamentary), Unitary (as opposed to Federal) Republic. Its Government is democratic, freely elected, representative and accountable. The current President is Jamil Mahuad. For a complete breakdown of government, go to the Ecuadorian Embassy. Ecuador is more of a democracy, in the truest sense of the word, than the United States because the people actually have influence over the conduction of affairs. The most visible example of citizen control is a national strike, which occurred while we were in the rainforest. For more information on that, read this article.
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When we returned from the rainforest, we could still see remnants of the worker's attempt to paralyze the country. The mountain roads on the way to Otavalo were dotted with small trenches and trees which had served as road blocks.
- As we were driving to the Quito airport on our last morning, we had to dodge flaming tires in the middle of the road--the
taxi drivers had gone on strike.
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For more information on the crisis which this developing country faces, go to the
World Socialist Website: "Ecuador on brink of civil war as
government deepens austerity measures."
Ecuador has spent much time in conflict or cooperation with other countries throughout the world. The most recent have been the continuously amiable relations with the United States. There have also been border disputes between Ecuador and her southeastern neighbor Peru. Here are some links that will provide more information on the relations between these countries and Ecuador--
Ecuador and United States
- Although Ecuadorians are more accepting of Americans (being called a gringo is NOT an offence in this country), there are some anti-U.S. sentiments. This is what we saw spray-painted on a side walk near El Ejido Park: "Afuera Yankis, hijos de puta."
Ecuador and Peru
- Much progress has been made in making peace with Peru. For example, we shopped at a handicrafts store in Quito run by "Women for the peace of Ecuador and Peru."
For more information on Ecuadorian statistics and news reports:
Government Factbook
News Reports
Find out more about the very controversial politics of the oil industry in Ecuador: