Many say Ecuador is teetering on shaky ground, caught between becoming the “next Venezuela” or developing into a more progressive Latin American country. Like Chavez’s Venezuela, Ecuador has adopted a form of democratic socialism known as “Socialism of the 21st-Century,” a model existing in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Ecuador has come to rely on oil revenues, expansion of programs for the poor, and strict regulation of imported goods. Under President Rafael Correa, plans have been made to drill in Yasuni National Park — one of the most biodiverse zones of the Amazon rainforest. In this small section of Amazon, “one hectare of the area is home to a richer mix of trees, birds, amphibians, and reptiles than the US and Canada put together” (The Guardian).

By terminating protective measures for this region the Ecuadorian government is able to being negotiations with China. With a $1 billion oil deal in the works, this fraudulent act will increase state oil revenues and enable Ecuador to alleviate some of the immense debt taken on in past years from China.

The political climate in the past few months has been inundated with mounting tensions. As I traveled to Ecuador this summer I caught a first-hand glimpse at the public dissent within the country.

After the president announced an inheritance law, which would increase in increments up to a 77.5% tax for inheritances above US$849,600, protest broke out across Ecuador. The streets of Quito, the country’s capital, were filled with black flags of the Opposition, honking cars, and people shouting “Fuera Correa, fuera!” or “Out Correa, out!”

At a “marcha” in the Old Town on June 15th, the president gave a passionate and somewhat angry speech from the balcony of the presidential palace. As his voice rose louder and louder, Correa preached the democratic values of the country and his party, of assisting the poor, of coming to the aid of your fellow man, of compromise, and making fiscal sacrifices for ones country. The word “democracia” was thrown around so many times I soon began to lose track.

Surprising, La Plaza Grande was filled with supporters applauding the president. Yet, in this picturesque scene an underlying scheme was in the works. This speech was nationally broadcasted. In an aim to rally support, the streets to the Plaza had been blocked off. No black flags were permitted to enter. The Opposition was literally shut out and silenced. Government employees were obligated to attend this event to publically demonstration of their support. Correa masked and manipulated the country’s political and public climate, creating a vision of support and approval as the flags of his party waved in the crowd below. A façade and ultimately censorship of the media.

Initially, progressive programs installed by Correa brought positive development and hope for Ecuadorians, but the longer Rafael Correa remains in office the more his once supporters have begun to oppose him.

Since Correa was elected to office in 2007, he has called for two referendums, changing the country’s constitution first in 2009 and again 2011. These alterations have allowed him to remain in power longer, increased the powers of the presidency, established the Constitutional Court – the majority composed of his party, and reformed the judiciary.

Rafael Correa now pushes another change to the constitution, which will allow him to run again when his term expires in 2017. This referendum, whether by coercion or force, aims to eliminate the term limits for elected politicians – something many critics say was Correa’s aim all along. “Ecuador’s Constitutional Court is now deliberating a proposal to permit indefinite re-election for every office-holder. … Political analysts say there is little doubt that the court, which favors Mr. Correa in its rulings, will send the measure to Congress (The Wall Street Journal).”

Ecuador has been pushed to a dangerous edge from which it may have trouble returning. As tensions build, courts deliberate, and elections begin to approach, it will be interesting to observe these next crucial steps. The country is at a turning point. A new president in 2017 could prove to greatly assist the country, but the threat of a power thirsty Correa may send the situation in Ecuador into a downward spiral, nixing the country’s hopes for strengthening and development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt-Lq5kQ8TU