South America

There Was Once a Crazy President in Ecuador

QUITO, Ecuador (defend.ht) - In 1996 Ecuador had experienced a mentally unbalanced President, Abdala Bucaram Ortiz. His charisma, one of the factors that brought him to the presidency, was built on the basis of personal achievements areas completely unrelated to politics. His gifts as a singer and guitarist have contributed to its popularity.

For Bucaram, what distinguished him from other politicians was his vulgarity which was hilarious, playing with a representation of happiness through a show, a musical celebration.

His political campaign, this was marked by great popular gatherings, large fairs that animated the village targeted. He himself sang, danced and animated the crowd.

His success was possible with the perseverance of Bucaram which was demonstrated in their struggle to destroy the ruling elites. Speaking of them, he took an effeminate voice and exaggerated gestures.

Arriving at the Presidency, due to his lifestyle and how he dealt with his entourage, Bucaram saw his popularity deteriorate in a few months.

In August 1996, 24% of the population was against him. In January 1997, one month before the protests that demanded his removal, 87% of the country was against him.

Early on, he used the media, especially television, to glorify himself. It seems that being ever present on TV, radio and print, Bucaram tried to build his image as a central political figure. His gestures and his language, considered vulgar, angered key sectors that the Ecuadorian President needed to keep close to stay in power, some industrial, some military, the Catholic Church and senior journalists.

These contribute to the formation of public opinion. For the first time in the history of Ecuador, newspapers, radio and television's most prestigious were shown completely opposed to a president.

Bucaram was dismissed February 14, 1997 by the Ecuadorian Parliament six months after taking office on 19 August 1996, following his actions unworthy of a chief of state and his physical and mental disabilities to exercise power. The character of some Bucaram was a living paradox.

His generous side and "closeness to the people" was in permanent conflict with a deep selfishness, motivated by the search for satisfaction of his own interests and those of his family. Having fled to Panama after the radical decision of the Parliament of Ecuador, Bucaram is now considered a fugitive and is wanted by the justice of his country for the wrongs done and to have induced Ecuadorian voters astray.

M.