The Ecuadorian Revolution of 2005 was a widespread protest against corruption, high prices, and the rule of President
Lucio Gutiérrez
Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa (born 23 March 1957) is an Ecuadorian politician and former military officer who served as the 43rd president of Ecuador from 2003 until his impeachment in 2005. In 2023, he was elected to the National Assembly. ...
that paralysed
Ecuador
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...
in 2005. It included mass demonstrations, general strikes and popular rioting and violent clashes. What started as nonviolent anti-government protests in March mushroomed into violent rioting and spread countywide. Protesters demanded the fall of the government and an end to corruption. Political tensions had been rising since the return of former President
Abdalá Bucaram
Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortiz ( ; ; born 4 February 1952) is an Ecuadorian politician and lawyer who was the 38th president of Ecuador from 1996 until his removal from office in 1997. As president, Bucaram was nicknamed "El Loco Que Ama" ("The Madm ...
to Ecuador and a ruling by the Supreme Court clearing him of corruption charges.
Revolt
Protesters took to the streets in large numbers not seen since 1997. Protestors called for an end to corruption, austerity measures, refunds and the return of subsidies for fuel and basic food stuffs. 10,000-25,000 protesters marched throughout the country on 19–22 April. The military quashed protests, leading to violent scenes.
The government of Lucio Gutiérrez was forced to flee and resign in April 2005.
In August, rioting occurred, halting oil production. Massive street protests demanded wage increases and better lifestyle conditions. Protesters also demonstrated against the oil shutdown.
A wave of social unrest led to a state of emergency in March 2006. In April, hundreds were injured during youth protests and clashes with soldiers amid growing civil disobedience and campaigns.
See also
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2019 Ecuadorian protests
The 2019 Ecuadorian protests were a series of protests and riots against austerity measures including the cancellation of fuel subsidies, adopted by President of Ecuador Lenín Moreno and his administration. Organized protests ceased after in ...
References
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21st-century revolutions
Protests in Ecuador
2005 in Ecuador
2005 protests
Revolutions in Ecuador