During most of the 20th century Ecuador has lacked the political stability to cope with its pressing social and economic problems. The career of the most charismatic politician of the period, José María Velasco Ibarra, vividly demonstrates the point. Between 1934 and 1968 he is five times elected president, but on all but one of those occasions he is forcibly deposed before he has completed his four-year term (the exception is 1952-6).
An added distress in this mid-century period is the 1941 invasion by Peru of disputed territory in southeast Ecuador around the headwaters of the Amazon. Peruvian forces easily win the brief war. A peace conference in Rio de Janeiro grants Peru much of the region (a conclusion strenuously rejected in Ecuador).
During the 1970s Ecuador suffers a nine-year spell of military rule, but since 1979 the republic has functioned as a democracy - albeit with frequent complaints of corruption.
In 1996 Abdala Bucaram becomes president, but in the following year congress votes for his removal from office on the grounds of insanity. In 1998 Jamil Mahaud, formerly the mayor of Quito, is elected to the presidency.
During most of the 20th century Ecuador has lacked the political stability to cope with its pressing social and economic problems. The career of the most charismatic politician of the period, José María Velasco Ibarra, vividly demonstrates the point. Between 1934 and 1968 he is five times elected president, but on all but one of those occasions he is forcibly deposed before he has completed his four-year term (the exception is 1952-6).
An added distress in this mid-century period is the 1941 invasion by Peru of disputed territory in southeast Ecuador around the headwaters of the Amazon. Peruvian forces easily win the brief war. A peace conference in Rio de Janeiro grants Peru much of the region (a conclusion strenuously rejected in Ecuador).
During the 1970s Ecuador suffers a nine-year spell of military rule, but since 1979 the republic has functioned as a democracy - albeit with frequent complaints of corruption.
In 1996 Abdala Bucaram becomes president, but in the following year congress votes for his removal from office on the grounds of insanity. In 1998 Jamil Mahaud, formerly the mayor of Quito, is elected to the presidency.
Unstable times: 1912-1999
During most of the 20th century Ecuador has lacked the political stability to cope with its pressing social and economic problems. The career of the most charismatic politician of the period, José María Velasco Ibarra, vividly demonstrates the point. Between 1934 and 1968 he is five times elected president, but on all but one of those occasions he is forcibly deposed before he has completed his four-year term (the exception is 1952-6).
An added distress in this mid-century period is the 1941 invasion by Peru of disputed territory in southeast Ecuador around the headwaters of the Amazon. Peruvian forces easily win the brief war. A peace conference in Rio de Janeiro grants Peru much of the region (a conclusion strenuously rejected in Ecuador).
During the 1970s Ecuador suffers a nine-year spell of military rule, but since 1979 the republic has functioned as a democracy - albeit with frequent complaints of corruption.
In 1996 Abdala Bucaram becomes president, but in the following year congress votes for his removal from office on the grounds of insanity. In 1998 Jamil Mahaud, formerly the mayor of Quito, is elected to the presidency.
