Ecuador ex-president promises revolution of the poor

[struggle4progress]

AP
Monday, April 04, 2005

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP) - The former president nicknamed 'The Crazy One' for his flamboyant antics, returned home after spending eight years in exile in Panama, telling thousands of rallying supporters he plans to lead a "revolution of the poor" modelled around that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. <snip>

Bucaram's return came two days after he was cleared of criminal action by Ecuador's high court. <snip>

Bucaram, who arrived to the rally several hours later than scheduled in a helicopter, said he would oppose "the imposition of military bases" on Ecuador - an apparent reference to the United States' use of the Manta air base as an operations centre in its war on drug trafficking in Latin America.

He also spoke out against regional free trade agreements with the United States. <snip>

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050403T200000-0500_78046_OBS_ECUADOR_EX_PRESIDENT_PROMISES_REVOLUTION_OF_THE_POOR.asp

[Zorro]

1. He's not called "The Crazy One" for nothing

He's also breathtakingly corrupt.

When in office he designated his young son as the head of immigration, and then held a flamboyant party when his son made is first million dollars.

Having traveled several times to Ecuador when he was president, I can attest to the shakedown Americans got when entering the country. Just imagine being told by the customs inspectors that you have to cough up a couple hundred bucks to enter the country because your personal possessions (camera, clothes, etc.) are considered "imports".

He robbed the Ecuadorian treasury and then high-tailed it out of the country when the heat was on. He should be in prison for his shameful actions.