Ibarra Velaska
Ecuador- José María Velasco Ibarra: Ecuadorian Statesman and Politician
- Parliamentary Opposition
- First Presidency and Exile
- Second Presidency and Economic Reforms
- Ouster and Return
- Third Presidency and Military Coup
- Fourth Presidency and Constitutional Crisis
- Legacy
José María Velasco Ibarra: Ecuadorian Statesman and Politician
Prelude to PresidencyJosé María Velasco Ibarra was born on March 19, 1893, in Quito, Ecuador, into an affluent family. He received his education at the Sorbonne in Paris and returned to Ecuador to enter politics.
Parliamentary Opposition
In 1933, Velasco Ibarra was elected to the Chamber of Deputies and became its speaker. He led the parliamentary opposition against President Juan Bautista Mecareli. In 1934, the parliament declared the results of the presidential election invalid, leaving the presidency vacant.
First Presidency and Exile
In the September 1934 election, Velasco Ibarra was elected president. However, he was overthrown in August 1935 and forced to flee to Colombia. A movement for his return gained momentum, and after the military toppled President Carlos Arroyo del Río in May 1944, Velasco Ibarra was declared Supreme Ruler.
Second Presidency and Economic Reforms
In August 1944, he was elected president, followed by another term as Supreme Ruler in March 1946. During this period, Velasco Ibarra implemented significant reforms, including reducing bureaucracy, introducing price controls, and supporting national industries and agriculture.
Ouster and Return
In August 1947, he was again overthrown by the military and sought refuge in Argentina. He returned to Ecuador in 1952 and was re-elected as president in September.
Third Presidency and Military Coup
During his third term, Velasco Ibarra continued his economic reforms and initiated public works projects. However, he lost the 1956 election. In 1960, he won the election convincingly but was overthrown in a military coup in November 1961.
Fourth Presidency and Constitutional Crisis
In September 1968, Velasco Ibarra was elected president for the fourth time. In June 1970, he dissolved Congress and abolished the действующую Конституцию, restoring the 1946 Constitution. The role of the military grew significantly, and Velasco Ibarra resigned in February 1972 in protest against их действия.
Legacy
Velasco Ibarra, known as the "Five-time President," is remembered as a controversial but influential figure in Ecuadorian history. His presidency was marked by both progressive reforms and periods of instability. He passed away on March 30, 1979, in Quito.
