Issue and Opponent: President Abdala Bucaram of Ecuador, referred to as “El Loco,” or the “Crazy One,” due to his colorful public acts of profanity, was elected into office in 1996. Before his presidency, Ecuador had been experiencing dramatic price increases in daily goods. Thus, Bucaram introduced neoliberal economic reforms in hopes of alleviating the situation. However, these reforms only worked to further disillusion entrepreneurs and businesses, as they were hurting the economy more than they were helping. Only six months into his term, a national effort was created to put an end to his reforms and oust him from the presidency.
Dilemma Action: Members of every social class in Ecuador participated in forming the Patriotic Front. The goals of the campaign were to oust Bucaram from the presidency and overturn his neoliberal economic reforms. Unions, student groups, indigenous peoples organizations, and businessmen worked together to organize several strikes and protests to demand the end of Bucaram’s presidency. The most significant national labor strike was on February 5th, 1997 when nearly two million people took to the streets and paralyzed the country. This strike would become one of the largest demonstrations of discontent in 50 years. The scale of the strike meant that the government needed to respond or it would face consequences across various sectors. However, the force opposing the Bucaram government was well-versed in organizing strikes and protests. The Patriotic Front had roots in every facet of Ecuadorian society. Nonetheless, Bucaram responded to the Feb. 5th labor strike by mobilizing the police against peaceful protesters. Tear gas and electric barricades were reportedly used as well. Though nearly 10 demonstrators were injured, the campaign did not disperse or disassemble at any point. Bucaram responded by declaring a state of emergency and a holiday from schools and businesses in an attempt to ‘join’ the strike, but opposition leaders declared that the strike would continue.
Outcomes: Shortly after the demonstrations, the Ecuadorian Congress would meet to discuss proceedings to oust Bucaram from office legally. The US Ambassador to Ecuador would go on to publicly denounce the Bucaram regime as corrupt, thus allying the US embassy with the Congress’s action. On February 6th, Congress voted in favor of removing Bucaram from the presidency because he was mentally unfit for office. Bucaram reacted by calling the vote a coup by Congress and saying he would not recognize it. However, with the Patriotic Front’s mounting pressure, and the attention of the international community, Bucaram had no other option than to leave office and relinquish power to Fabian Alarcon.