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Ecuador's Correa asserts control, police chief quits
Source: Agencies |
October 2, 2010, Saturday
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ECUADOR President Rafael Correa reasserted control over the country yesterday and his disgraced police chief resigned after officers' protests at spending cuts rattled the left-wing leader, who accused foes of a coup attempt.
Police commander Freddy Martinez took responsibility for a revolt by his officers on Thursday, when Correa was physically attacked and trapped in a hospital for several hours before troops rescued him in a blaze of gunfire. Eight people died in unrest across the country.
"A commander shown such lack of respect by his subordinates cannot stay in charge," Martinez said. Television station Ecuavisa said three senior police officers were detained.
Police officers began to return to work yesterday, a new police chief was named and three days of mourning was declared. The army increased security in streets around the presidential palace and soldiers helped guard banks to prevent looting.
Three presidents were ousted by popular protests in the decade before Correa took office in 2007, and for a few hours on Thursday it appeared he might be next. More instability in the oil exporter could dent investor confidence already knocked by Correa's tough stance with the private sector.
"This was coordinated to create chaos, civil war, killings, to destabilize the government. They have not succeeded," Correa told visiting foreign ministers from across the region in a meeting broadcast on state TV.
"Personally, I am devastated and the nation is in mourning."
The fiery 47-year-old leader had expressed contempt for the rebel police officers' complaints over proposed cuts to bonuses when he addressed supporters after his rescue by troops.
State media said Correa's vehicle was hit by bullets as soldiers took him out of the hospital on Thursday night. "They wanted to kill President Correa," the Andes state news agency said, adding that the bullet-proof vehicle was hit four times.
Dramatic TV footage showed an elite policeman guarding Correa being fatally shot as he held onto the vehicle and then slumping onto the tarmac.
Correa remains popular at home and won support across the region on Thursday, from the White House to Havana. Top South American diplomats arrived in Quito on yesterday. Even critics said it was important for Latin America and the United States to stand behind democratically-elected leaders.
The police were angered by plans to cut bonuses and freeze promotions as part of nationwide austerity measures that Correa is trying to push through in the face of a financial squeeze.
The U.S.-trained economist, limping after knee surgery he underwent last week, was jostled while confronting protesters on the street early on Thursday. Amid chaotic scenes, a tear gas canister was hurled at him and exploded near his face.
The government said eight people died, including two police officers killed in a 40-minute shootout as troops stormed the hospital where Correa took refuge. Five civilians were killed in the city of Guayaquil, and 274 other people were hurt in the unrest, most of them in Quito.
Police commander Freddy Martinez took responsibility for a revolt by his officers on Thursday, when Correa was physically attacked and trapped in a hospital for several hours before troops rescued him in a blaze of gunfire. Eight people died in unrest across the country.
"A commander shown such lack of respect by his subordinates cannot stay in charge," Martinez said. Television station Ecuavisa said three senior police officers were detained.
Police officers began to return to work yesterday, a new police chief was named and three days of mourning was declared. The army increased security in streets around the presidential palace and soldiers helped guard banks to prevent looting.
Three presidents were ousted by popular protests in the decade before Correa took office in 2007, and for a few hours on Thursday it appeared he might be next. More instability in the oil exporter could dent investor confidence already knocked by Correa's tough stance with the private sector.
"This was coordinated to create chaos, civil war, killings, to destabilize the government. They have not succeeded," Correa told visiting foreign ministers from across the region in a meeting broadcast on state TV.
"Personally, I am devastated and the nation is in mourning."
The fiery 47-year-old leader had expressed contempt for the rebel police officers' complaints over proposed cuts to bonuses when he addressed supporters after his rescue by troops.
State media said Correa's vehicle was hit by bullets as soldiers took him out of the hospital on Thursday night. "They wanted to kill President Correa," the Andes state news agency said, adding that the bullet-proof vehicle was hit four times.
Dramatic TV footage showed an elite policeman guarding Correa being fatally shot as he held onto the vehicle and then slumping onto the tarmac.
Correa remains popular at home and won support across the region on Thursday, from the White House to Havana. Top South American diplomats arrived in Quito on yesterday. Even critics said it was important for Latin America and the United States to stand behind democratically-elected leaders.
The police were angered by plans to cut bonuses and freeze promotions as part of nationwide austerity measures that Correa is trying to push through in the face of a financial squeeze.
The U.S.-trained economist, limping after knee surgery he underwent last week, was jostled while confronting protesters on the street early on Thursday. Amid chaotic scenes, a tear gas canister was hurled at him and exploded near his face.
The government said eight people died, including two police officers killed in a 40-minute shootout as troops stormed the hospital where Correa took refuge. Five civilians were killed in the city of Guayaquil, and 274 other people were hurt in the unrest, most of them in Quito.
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