Abdalá Bucaram
Encyclopedia
Abdalá Jaime Bucaram Ortíz (born February 20, 1952 in Guayaquil
) is an Ecuador
ian politician
and lawyer
who briefly (less than six months, from 10 August 1996 to 6 February 1997) occupied the Presidency of Ecuador
. As President, Abdala Bucaram was nicknamed "El Loco" ("the crazy one," a nickname he himself championed) and dismissed after being declared mentally unfit to rule by the National Congress of Ecuador
. Bucaram and his followers claim that all cases against him have been dismissed. He lives in Panama and his political asylum was recently renewed.
. He grew up playing football in the streets of Guayaquil and later went on to become a successful athlete and earn a degree in physical education. He was also a hurdler in the 1972 Olympic team, the police
chief of Guayas
and the president of Barcelona Sporting Club
, a Football team from his hometown. Besides being a gym teacher, he earned a degree in law and soon began his political career. He used to live in Kennedy Norte, a neighborhood next to the former Simón Bolívar International Airport before he escaped to Panama. He was the nephew of the politician Asaad Bucaram Elmalin, who was mayor of Guayaquil. His sister, Martha Bucaram, was married to former President Jaime Roldós Aguilera
, both of whom were killed in an aviation accident.
After he took office, Bucaram tried to reorganize the state, which included trying to regularize the privatization process initiated by Osvaldo Hurtado
(1980,Popular Democracy Party), and supported by the next three presidents: León Febres Cordero
(1984,PSC), Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
(1988,Left wing Democracy)and Sixto Durán Ballén
(1992,ex-PSC). Political opponents took advantage of Bucaram's perceived naiveté and loyalty in the selection of his cabinet. Many of Bucaram's ministers and senior officials were influenced by the people who were in control of the state since 1980, and made terrible mistakes. On top of that, the congress was still controlled by the PSC and the Popular Democracy Party, who both pushed Bucaram for "allowances" to approve laws and to consider Bucaram's laws and decrees. In return Bucaram needed to push his cabinet for weekly "collections" to keep the congress "happy". The officers had to "squeeze" users to reach their "quota". Government opponents knew where the problems were, and scandal after scandal arose as a result.
" severely affected the Ecuadorean economy; however, no economic measures were taken due to the scandals in which the former President Duran-Ballen family (Flores y Miel) and his Vice-President Dahik (embezzlement of public funds) were involved. In addition, the Duran-Ballén "Cenepa" war exhausted the already dissembled state.
During the Latin American economic crisis, Ecuador was not the exception; the private banks and financial institutions took advantage of the false "bonanza," and the bankers ended up acquiring much state property. Bankers felt the shortage and started to loan money to themselves to maintain their recently acquired properties. The cash flow started to decrease abruptly. The superintendency of banking, controlled by bankers, authorized the issuance of currency without support; this fired up a rapid currency devaluation.
Bucaram had no alternative but to take strong anti-popular economic measures. Bucaram was a populist, so he had no defined political tendency. He decided his economic plan to be very neo-liberal; it was designed by Argentinian economist Domingo Cavallo, and included stop subsidies, regulate banks and financial institutions, and a strong currency devaluation ("Un sólo toque" would replace the sucre).
Massive protests against the proposed economic plan left Bucaram alone. The indigenous and social movements who helped him to raise to the power now were against him. Pachacutik (Indigenous Party, left wing), Democratic Popular Movement (MPD, left wing), PSC (right wing) and Popular Democracy Party (right wing) were the main parties organizing the protests.
This protest led to his dismissal from the Ecuadorian Presidency. He was dismissed by the congress on grounds of alleged "incapacidad mental" (mental disability). Bucaram's assumed insanity was never officially diagnosed; it was more a politic maneuver of the PSC and Popular Democracy Party (right wing parties) on control of the Legislative and Judicial power, also, Pachacutik and MPD (left wing) supported the decision in exchange of political representation. Congress passed the measure (44 votes in favor and 34 against) with a simple majority instead of the two thirds required by the Constitution, and appointed congressional leader Fabián Alarcón in his place, bypassing the sitting Vice President Rosalía Arteaga.
The constitutional court determined the congressional resolution to be anti-constitutional and rejected it. The congress ignored the constitutional court resolution and proceeded to confirm Fabian Alarcon as interim president. Finally, Congress, illegally, requested that the army assert Alarcón's power.
after the corruption
charges were laid. He returned Saturday, April 2, 2005, after the corruption charges were lifted the previous day. He stayed in Guayaquil for about two and a half weeks. The corruption charges against him were reinstated after Lucio Gutiérrez
was forced to leave to avoid the charges.
Nevertheless, his son, Abdalá Bucarám Jr. is currently part of the Ecuadorian Congress, following his father's steps, representing the "Partido Roldosista Ecuatoriano".
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
) is an Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
who briefly (less than six months, from 10 August 1996 to 6 February 1997) occupied the Presidency of Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. As President, Abdala Bucaram was nicknamed "El Loco" ("the crazy one," a nickname he himself championed) and dismissed after being declared mentally unfit to rule by the National Congress of Ecuador
National Congress of Ecuador
The National Congress was the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Ecuador prior to November 2007....
. Bucaram and his followers claim that all cases against him have been dismissed. He lives in Panama and his political asylum was recently renewed.
Family political background
Bucaram is the grandson of Lebanese immigrants. Abdalá is the Spanish form of the Arab name AbdullahAbdullah (name)
Abdullah or Abdallah is the primary transliteration of the Arabic given name, , built from the Arabic words Abd and Allah . The first letter a in al-Ilah in its native pronunciation is often unstressed and commonly transliterated by u, a stressed a is often used as well, although any vowel can also...
. He grew up playing football in the streets of Guayaquil and later went on to become a successful athlete and earn a degree in physical education. He was also a hurdler in the 1972 Olympic team, the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
chief of Guayas
Guayas Province
Guayas is a coastal province in Ecuador. It is bordered to the west by Manabí, Santa Elena, and the Pacific Ocean ; to the east by Los Ríos, Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cañar, and Azuay; to the north by Los Ríos and Bolívar; and to the south by El Oro and the Pacific Ocean.With a population of over 3...
and the president of Barcelona Sporting Club
Barcelona Sporting Club
Barcelona Sporting Club is an Ecuadorian sports club based in Guayaquil, known best for its professional football team. They currently play in the Ecuadorian Serie A, the highest level of football in the country, and hold the distinction of being the only team to have never been relegated.With...
, a Football team from his hometown. Besides being a gym teacher, he earned a degree in law and soon began his political career. He used to live in Kennedy Norte, a neighborhood next to the former Simón Bolívar International Airport before he escaped to Panama. He was the nephew of the politician Asaad Bucaram Elmalin, who was mayor of Guayaquil. His sister, Martha Bucaram, was married to former President Jaime Roldós Aguilera
Jaime Roldós Aguilera
Jaime Roldós Aguilera was President of Ecuador from 10 August 1979 to 24 May 1981. In his short tenure, he became known for his firm stance on human rights. His death in a plane crash gave rise to speculation of involvement by the United States government in the accident.-Early life and...
, both of whom were killed in an aviation accident.
Early political years
He was the Mayor of Guayaquil, and the founder and member of the Partido Roldista Ecuatoriano (PRE). He is recognized for being the mayor that left the city hall in ruins and full of people earning salaries without working. He was also the one who gave third class Christmas gifts to the poor. He throwed them down a wooden ramp and made them fight like animals to catch one of those wretched gifts. After his elected time as a Mayor, his Sister Elsa, took over the legacy making the same mistakes in detriment of the city.1996 presidential campaign
Candidate Abdala Bucaram Ortiz was elected as President of Ecuador. Although Bucaram defeated Social Cristiano Party (PSC) candidate Jaime Nebot by a margin of approximately 20,000 votes, he managed to win all but one of the 21 provinces.Time as president
Abdalá Bucaram was President from August 10, 1996 to February 6, 1997. His cabinet was put together by the Vice President Rosalia Arteaga. Within months Bucaram was accused of embezzling millions of dollars of public funds.After he took office, Bucaram tried to reorganize the state, which included trying to regularize the privatization process initiated by Osvaldo Hurtado
Osvaldo Hurtado
Luis Osvaldo Hurtado Larrea is an Ecuadorian author and politician who served as President of Ecuador from 1981 to 1984....
(1980,Popular Democracy Party), and supported by the next three presidents: León Febres Cordero
León Febres Cordero
León Esteban Febres-Cordero Ribadeneyra was President of Ecuador for a four-year term from 10 August 1984 to 10 August 1988...
(1984,PSC), Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
Rodrigo Borja Cevallos was President of Ecuador from 10 August 1988 to 10 August 1992.-Biography:Borja was born in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. He helped to found the Party of the Democratic Left, a socialist political party which quickly gained strength. He served several terms in Congress,...
(1988,Left wing Democracy)and Sixto Durán Ballén
Sixto Durán Ballén
Sixto Alfonso Durán-Ballén Cordovez is an U.S.-born Ecuadorian political figure and architect. He served as Mayor of Quito between 1970 and 1978, and as president of Ecuador between 1992 and 1996...
(1992,ex-PSC). Political opponents took advantage of Bucaram's perceived naiveté and loyalty in the selection of his cabinet. Many of Bucaram's ministers and senior officials were influenced by the people who were in control of the state since 1980, and made terrible mistakes. On top of that, the congress was still controlled by the PSC and the Popular Democracy Party, who both pushed Bucaram for "allowances" to approve laws and to consider Bucaram's laws and decrees. In return Bucaram needed to push his cabinet for weekly "collections" to keep the congress "happy". The officers had to "squeeze" users to reach their "quota". Government opponents knew where the problems were, and scandal after scandal arose as a result.
Last days in office
By 1996 the state had already been dismantled by several years of privatizations; there was no way to control corruption, also, there was no desire of Bucaram's officers to help in this matter. "The Tequila effect1994 economic crisis in Mexico
The 1994 Economic Crisis in Mexico, widely known as the Mexican peso crisis, was caused by the sudden devaluation of the Mexican peso in December 1994....
" severely affected the Ecuadorean economy; however, no economic measures were taken due to the scandals in which the former President Duran-Ballen family (Flores y Miel) and his Vice-President Dahik (embezzlement of public funds) were involved. In addition, the Duran-Ballén "Cenepa" war exhausted the already dissembled state.
During the Latin American economic crisis, Ecuador was not the exception; the private banks and financial institutions took advantage of the false "bonanza," and the bankers ended up acquiring much state property. Bankers felt the shortage and started to loan money to themselves to maintain their recently acquired properties. The cash flow started to decrease abruptly. The superintendency of banking, controlled by bankers, authorized the issuance of currency without support; this fired up a rapid currency devaluation.
Bucaram had no alternative but to take strong anti-popular economic measures. Bucaram was a populist, so he had no defined political tendency. He decided his economic plan to be very neo-liberal; it was designed by Argentinian economist Domingo Cavallo, and included stop subsidies, regulate banks and financial institutions, and a strong currency devaluation ("Un sólo toque" would replace the sucre).
Massive protests against the proposed economic plan left Bucaram alone. The indigenous and social movements who helped him to raise to the power now were against him. Pachacutik (Indigenous Party, left wing), Democratic Popular Movement (MPD, left wing), PSC (right wing) and Popular Democracy Party (right wing) were the main parties organizing the protests.
This protest led to his dismissal from the Ecuadorian Presidency. He was dismissed by the congress on grounds of alleged "incapacidad mental" (mental disability). Bucaram's assumed insanity was never officially diagnosed; it was more a politic maneuver of the PSC and Popular Democracy Party (right wing parties) on control of the Legislative and Judicial power, also, Pachacutik and MPD (left wing) supported the decision in exchange of political representation. Congress passed the measure (44 votes in favor and 34 against) with a simple majority instead of the two thirds required by the Constitution, and appointed congressional leader Fabián Alarcón in his place, bypassing the sitting Vice President Rosalía Arteaga.
The constitutional court determined the congressional resolution to be anti-constitutional and rejected it. The congress ignored the constitutional court resolution and proceeded to confirm Fabian Alarcon as interim president. Finally, Congress, illegally, requested that the army assert Alarcón's power.
Present life
He fled to Panama CityPanama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
after the corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
charges were laid. He returned Saturday, April 2, 2005, after the corruption charges were lifted the previous day. He stayed in Guayaquil for about two and a half weeks. The corruption charges against him were reinstated after Lucio Gutiérrez
Lucio Gutiérrez
Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa served as President of Ecuador from January 15, 2003 to April 20, 2005.- Political rise :Gutiérrez was prominent in a popular uprising that replaced President Jamil Mahuad for three hours in January 2000...
was forced to leave to avoid the charges.
Nevertheless, his son, Abdalá Bucarám Jr. is currently part of the Ecuadorian Congress, following his father's steps, representing the "Partido Roldosista Ecuatoriano".