Guadalupe Larriva Ecuadorian politician Date of Birth: 28.07.1956 Country: Ecuador

1. Ecuadorian Politician and Defense Minister: Lorena Larriva
2. Early Life and Career
3. Appointment and Death
4. Legacy

Ecuadorian Politician and Defense Minister: Lorena Larriva

Lorena Larriva was an Ecuadorian politician who served as Minister of Defense from January 15 to 24, 2007.

Early Life and Career

Prior to her appointment as Defense Minister, Larriva was a university professor of history and geography and the head of the Socialist Party of Ecuador. She became the first woman Defense Minister in Ecuadorian history and one of the few civilians to lead the country's military.

Appointment and Death

On January 15, 2007, Larriva was appointed to the position of Defense Minister by President Rafael Correa. However, just nine days after taking office, she tragically perished in a helicopter collision near the Manta military base on the Pacific coast. Larriva, her 17-year-old daughter, and two pilots were killed in the accident.

Legacy

Two days before her death, Larriva announced that Ecuador would not renew its contract with the United States military to use the Manta air base beyond 2009. President Correa vowed to appoint another woman as Defense Minister, and on January 30, 2007, Lorena Escudero, a university professor and native of Cuenca like Larriva, was named to the role.

Larriva's brief tenure as Defense Minister was significant both for her groundbreaking appointment as the first woman in the position and for her role in Ecuador's foreign policy, particularly its relationship with the United States. Her legacy continues to inspire women and promote gender equality in Ecuadorian society.