Lucio Gutiérrez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucio Gutiérrez
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Gutiérrez in 2023
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| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 17 November 2023 |
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| Constituency | National constituency |
| 43rd President of Ecuador | |
| In office 15 January 2003 – 20 April 2005 |
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| Vice President | Alfedo Palacio González |
| Preceded by | Gustavo Noboa |
| Succeeded by | Alfredo Palacio González |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa
23 March 1957 Quito, Ecuador |
| Political party | Patriotic Society Party |
| Spouse |
Ximena Bohórquez
(m. 1982) |
| Alma mater | Escuela Politécnica del Ejército |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Ecuador |
| Branch/service |  Ecuadorian Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (born 23 March 1957) is an Ecuadorian politician and former army colonel. He served as the 43rd President of Ecuador from 2003 to 2005. In 2023, he was elected to the National Assembly, which is like Ecuador's parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lucio Gutiérrez was born in Quito, Ecuador, on March 23, 1957. He grew up in Tena, a town in the Amazon region. He attended primary and secondary school there. At age 15, he moved to a military college in Quito.
Gutiérrez graduated from the Army Polytechnic School. He studied civil engineering and was known for his good grades and athletic skills. Later, he continued his studies in Brazil and the United States.
Military Career and Political Start
Gutiérrez steadily moved up in the army. From 1990 to 1992, he worked with the United Nations in Nicaragua. He wasn't very interested in politics when he was young. However, in the 1990s, he started to feel for Ecuadorians who were unhappy with corruption and poverty.
In 1997, he was an aide to President Abdalá Bucaram Ortiz. He refused an order to use force against a crowd protesting outside the presidential palace. Bucaram later left office. In 1999, Gutiérrez openly questioned the government's actions. He even refused to shake President Jamil Mahuad Witt's hand in public.
Involvement in the 2000 Coup
In January 2000, many Ecuadorians, especially indigenous people, protested in Quito. They were upset about government corruption and economic policies. Colonel Gutiérrez was ordered to stop these protests. Instead, he helped the protesters and let them enter the country's congress building. He even joined indigenous leader Antonio Vargas in trying to form a new government.
This attempt to change the government did not last long. The old government returned, but with a new president. Gutiérrez and others involved were sent to prison for six months. They were also removed from the army.
This event brought Gutiérrez into the national spotlight. It showed his willingness to go against government orders to support the people.
Rise to the Presidency
After his military career ended, Gutiérrez entered politics. He became well-known after the 2000 events.
Running for President
In 2002, Gutiérrez ran for President. He was the candidate for the January 21 Patriotic Society Party (PSP). This party was named after the date of the 2000 protests. His main promises were to fight corruption and change economic policies.
He won the election in the second round. He got 55% of the votes, defeating Álvaro Noboa, a wealthy businessman. He formed an alliance with leftist and indigenous groups to win.
Presidency (2003–2005)
Lucio Gutiérrez became the President of Ecuador on January 15, 2003.
Challenges and Shifting Alliances
Early in his presidency, Gutiérrez disappointed some of his supporters. He supported the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). He also continued many of the economic policies of past governments. After just three months, he ended his alliance with leftist parties. He then made an agreement with the Social Christian Party (PSC). This led to more accusations of corruption and favoritism towards his family and friends.
After two years, he also broke his agreement with the PSC. This made his government politically weaker.
Political Unrest and Removal from Office
In November 2004, his former leftist supporters and the conservative PSC tried to remove him from office. They accused him of misusing government money and resources. They also said he caused unrest by encouraging people to protest against the courts. However, this attempt to remove him failed.
In December 2004, Gutiérrez claimed the Supreme Court was biased. His party and other groups in Congress voted to change the Supreme Court. His opponents argued that the Constitution protects the court's independence. New judges were appointed who were seen as allies of certain political parties. This was done with the goal of dropping legal issues against former president Abdalá Bucaram.
Crisis and Departure
On April 15, 2005, protests grew in Quito against his government. President Gutiérrez declared a state of emergency in the city. He also tried to remove the newly appointed Supreme Court. Many people saw this as a dictatorial act. The state of emergency was lifted the next day because citizens and the army did not follow it.
On April 20, 2005, after a week of large protests, the Congress of Ecuador voted to remove Gutiérrez from office. They said he had failed in his duties as president. Vice President Alfredo Palacio González was appointed as the new President. At the same time, the Ecuadorian military announced they no longer supported Gutiérrez. He had to leave the Presidential Palace by helicopter. He tried to leave the city by plane, but angry protesters blocked the airport. He then sought safety at the Brazilian Ambassador's house.
Public Opinion
Lucio Gutiérrez started his presidency with a 64% approval rating. When he left office, his approval rating was 32%.
After the Presidency
Brazil offered Gutiérrez safety and helped him leave Ecuador. He arrived in Brazil on April 24, 2005. He later gave up his asylum and traveled to Peru and the United States. In September 2005, he was reported to be seeking safety in Colombia, but he refused the offer.
On October 15, 2005, he returned to Ecuador, saying he would try to regain power. He was arrested at the airport in Manta. He was taken to a maximum-security prison in Quito. He faced accusations of trying to disrupt Ecuador's stability by saying he was still the rightful president.
Release and Later Elections
On March 3, 2006, a judge in Ecuador dropped the accusations against Gutiérrez. He was released from prison. He thanked the Ecuadorian people and promised to run for president again.
In the 2006 national election, his party, led by his brother Gilmar Gutiérrez, came in third. They had support from poorer people, farmers, and indigenous groups.
Lucio Gutiérrez ran for president again in 2009. He came in second place, losing to Rafael Correa. Gutiérrez claimed there was election fraud, but international observers said the election was fair. He also ran for president in 2021, but received only a small percentage of the votes.
Later Political Activities
Most of Lucio Gutiérrez's supporters live in the Amazon region, where he was born. His political party uses this connection to gain support in these isolated areas. Gutiérrez has said he wants to form a "parallel cabinet" to the current president's. This means he would have an experienced team ready if he were to become president again.
Allegations of Involvement in 2010 Unrest
Gutiérrez has been accused of causing the 2010 police revolt against President Correa. He strongly denies these claims. He says he was in Washington D.C. and Miami at the time. He also says he was an observer in the Brazilian presidential election. He believes the whole event was made up.
A special group formed by President Correa in 2013 claimed that Gutiérrez and his party planned the events. They said he worked with other people who had fled Ecuador. Gutiérrez continues to deny these accusations.
Images for kids
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Gutiérrez in 2023
See also
In Spanish: Lucio Gutiérrez para niños
