Lucio Gutiérrez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lucio Gutiérrez
Gutiérrez in 2023
Member of the National Assembly
In office 17 November 2023 – 13 May 2025
Constituency	National constituency
43rd President of Ecuador
In office 15 January 2003 – 20 April 2005
Vice President	Alfredo Palacio
Preceded by	Gustavo Noboa
Succeeded by	Alfredo Palacio
Personal details
Born	Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (1957-03-23) 23 March 1957 (age 68) Quito, Ecuador
Political party	Patriotic Society Party
Spouse	Ximena Bohórquez ​ (m. 1982)​
Alma mater	Escuela Politécnica del Ejército
Military service
Allegiance	Ecuador
Branch	Ecuadorian Army
Rank	Colonel

Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (born 23 March 1957) is an Ecuadorian politician and a former military officer. He served as the 43rd president of Ecuador from 2003 until 2005. In 2023, he was elected to the National Assembly, which is like the country's parliament.

Early Life and Military Career

Lucio Gutiérrez was born in Quito, Ecuador, on March 23, 1957. He grew up in Tena, a town in the Amazon basin. He went to a military college in Quito when he was 15.

Gutiérrez studied engineering and physical education. He chose to join the Ecuadorian army. He rose through the ranks to become a colonel. In the 1990s, he became concerned about corruption and poverty in Ecuador.

In 1997, he was an aide to President Abdalá Bucaram Ortiz. He refused an order to use force against a crowd. Later, in 1999, he openly questioned the government's actions.

Involvement in Political Changes

In January 2000, many people in Ecuador protested against the government. They were upset about corruption and economic policies. Colonel Gutiérrez was ordered to stop the protests. Instead, he helped the protesters. He allowed them to enter the country's congress building.

He even joined some leaders in announcing a "government of national salvation." This event was a short-lived attempt to change the government. Gutiérrez and others involved were imprisoned for six months. They were also removed from the army.

This event brought Gutiérrez into the national spotlight. He became known for supporting the people's protests.

Rise to Presidency

Gutiérrez ran for president in 2002. He was the candidate for the January 21 Patriotic Society Party (PSP). This party was named after the date of the 2000 protest. His main promises were to fight corruption and change economic policies.

He won the election against Álvaro Noboa. He formed an alliance with leftist and indigenous groups. He became president on January 15, 2003.

Challenges During Presidency

Once in office, Gutiérrez made some decisions that surprised his supporters. He supported free trade agreements. He also continued some economic policies from previous governments. After a few months, he ended his alliance with the leftist parties. He then made an agreement with the Social Christian Party.

His government faced many accusations of corruption. People also said he favored his family and friends. After two years, he broke his agreement with the Social Christian Party. This made his government even weaker.

In November 2004, some groups tried to remove him from office. They accused him of misusing public money. They also said he encouraged people to protest against the courts. However, the attempt to remove him failed.

In December 2004, Gutiérrez claimed the Supreme Court was biased. His political party and other groups voted to change the Supreme Court. They replaced judges with people who supported them. Critics said this was against the country's constitution. This move was seen as an attempt to help former president Abdalá Bucaram, who faced corruption accusations.

Political Crisis and Removal from Office

In April 2005, there were large protests in Quito. President Gutiérrez declared a state of emergency. He also tried to reverse the changes made to the Supreme Court. This was a very controversial decision. Many people saw it as a dictatorial act.

The state of emergency was lifted quickly. Citizens and even the army refused to follow it. On April 20, 2005, after a week of protests, the Congress of Ecuador met. They voted to remove Gutiérrez from office. They said he had abandoned his duties.

The military also announced they no longer supported him. Gutiérrez had to leave the Presidential Palace by helicopter. He tried to leave the city by plane, but protesters blocked the airport. He then sought safety at the Brazilian Ambassador's house. Vice President Alfredo Palacio González became the new president.

After the Presidency

After leaving office, Gutiérrez went to Brazil for safety. He later traveled to Peru and the United States. In October 2005, he returned to Ecuador. He said he wanted to regain power. He was arrested at the airport in Manta. He was taken to a maximum-security prison in Quito. He faced charges for trying to cause unrest in Ecuador.

In March 2006, a judge dropped the charges against him. Gutiérrez thanked the people and said he would run for president again. In the 2006 election, his party came in third place.

He ran for president again in 2009. He came in second, losing to Rafael Correa. He also ran in the 2021 election, but received a small percentage of the votes.

Later Political Activities

Lucio Gutiérrez still has many supporters, especially in the Amazon region where he grew up. His political party uses this connection to gain support. He has continued to be active in politics.

In 2010, there was a police protest against President Correa. Some people claimed Gutiérrez was involved in starting it. He denied these claims. He said he was out of the country at the time. A special group later investigated the events. They claimed he and his party had plotted with others.

See also

In Spanish: Lucio Gutiérrez para niños