Vol. 74/No. 39      October 18, 2010

Correa is a capitalist politician who was elected in 2006 on promises of greater distribution of the nation's wealth to workers and peasants; he was reelected in 2009. His social policies—which include increased government spending on schools, housing, and health care—have made his regime popular among working people.

The Correa government's refusal to pay $3.2 billion owed to bondholders and promises to pass a law expropriating idle land from wealthy landowners to provide for indigenous and peasant farmers have earned him the enmity of a substantial layer of Ecuador’s ruling class. At the same time, many capitalists back the current presidency, which is the most stable government they’ve have had in more than a decade.

The September 30 assault on Correa began when cops in several cities took over police barracks in protest of cuts in bonus payments that were planned as part of a new austerity law. Elements of the air force also joined the protests in Quito, blockading the runway at the international airport and preventing planes from landing or taking off. Eight people were reportedly killed and 278 wounded in the fighting. The military waited several hours before making its move, with armed forces chief Ernesto Gutierrez first gaining assurances from Correa that the austerity law would be revised.

Although Ecuador is the world's top banana exporter and is rich in copper, gold, and oil, like other economies throughout Latin America, the country has been battered by the worldwide depression. The austerity measures aimed at benefits provided to the police are part of broader steps by the Correa government to keep the capitalist economy afloat.

As the police protests mounted, Correa decided to go to one of their barracks in Quito and confront dozens of jeering cops who were taking part in the nationwide strike against the civil service law. According to witnesses, Correa taunted the cops, saying, “If you want to kill the president, here he is!” In minutes the cops broke through his small security detail and assaulted him.

Several thousand supporters of the president gathered at the palace to demand his release. There were no widespread worker or peasant mobilizations in response to the assault.

Both Correa and Justice Minister José Serrano have charged that the cop strike was an attempted coup and promise an investigation to determine who is responsible.

Correa has received support from both the head of the armed forces and the main opposition figure in Ecuador, Correa's most powerful rival, Guayaquil mayor Jaime Nebot. In addition, the governments of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina have all expressed support for Correa.

U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton spoke to Correa shortly after his release encouraging "an ongoing, rapid and peaceful restoration of order," according to her spokesman, P.J. Crowley.  
 
 
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