Latin America
Related: About this forumLenin Moreno's Challenge to the Past
When Lenín Moreno was sworn in as president of Ecuador last May, expectations were low.
Most assumed the mild-mannered former vice president to the bombastic leftist Rafael Correa would simply keep the seat warm for his erstwhile boss, who had termed out but was widely expected to run again in 2021.
How, after all, could a politician named after the legendary Russian revolutionary be expected to move the Andean nation away from the hard-left antics and vocal anti-American posturing of his predecessor?
Meanwhile, his passionate, career-long advocacy of humor as a way of improving quality of life had left some critics labeling Moreno, the son of public school teachers in a remote Amazonian province, an intellectual and political lightweight.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2018-02-01/ecuador-referendum-may-be-lenin-morenos-boldest-risk-yet
Rafael ain't too happy with his protege.
GatoGordo
(2,412 posts)Which is much more than Correa ever did.
Right now, Latin America needs more virtuous, thinking people in public office. We see what bombast has gotten South America (and the United States) Moreno's concern is for the people of Ecuador. He is well liked... so far. Hopefully, he can keep his ledger clean, which seems to be a big problem in Latin America these days.
Zorro
(15,691 posts)and take the blame for the decrease in government expenditures on social programs (due to the decline in oil revenues), which would have set the stage for Correa to return to the presidency the next election cycle.
A successful vote for term limits derails that plan -- which is why Correa has turned so dramatically against Moreno.
The passage of term limits also presents an opportunity for Moreno to toss Assange out of the embassy, if Julian decides to criticize the vote.
GatoGordo
(2,412 posts)I agree 100%.
However, oil revenues are on the rise, employment opportunities for the poor are increasing, and as long as Moreno can keep clean, I have a lot of hope for the people of Ecuador. (I have only visited friends there once. A beautiful country full of wonderful people!)