List of presidents of Ecuador

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This article contains a list of presidents of Ecuador, since the independence from Gran Colombia (1830) to the present day.

Background[edit]

Juan José Flores was the first constitutional president of Ecuador, declaring the separation of the State of Ecuador from Gran Colombia, maintaining its presidential government structure, which has remained until the present day. Between 1830 and 1845, the office of President of the Republic was elected indirectly, that is, through the Legislature. The first presidents were mostly elected through Constituent Assemblies, a tradition in the politics of Ecuador which remained until 1967, with Otto Arosemena being the last constitutional president elected through the Constituent Assembly. This is one of the reasons why Ecuador has had 20 Constitutions since its foundation, many of them created with the intention of legitimizing the government of a president. Since 1869, the president is elected by popular vote; however, it should be borne in mind that during the 19th century, Ecuador lived a census democracy: only men with sufficient income and decent office voted, being Francisco Robles the first president elected by direct vote.[1]

Between 1906 and 1944, during the Liberal Revolution, the elections were held in a generally fraudulent or corrupt manner, so the year 1944 is estimated as the beginning of democracy in Ecuador. Between 1906 and 1947, there was no office of Vice President. Between 1947 and 1970, the president and vice president were elected separately. Since 1979, the president and vice president are elected by direct suffrage on the same ballot. Since 1998, a candidate who obtains more than 40% of votes can also win, provided he has a difference of at least 10% over the second candidate. All these percentages are calculated on the total valid votes (that is, without counting null and blank votes).[2]

The history of Ecuador has been full of instability, usually centered on the figure of the President of the Republic, which is why Ecuador's political culture has been traditionally called caudillista. During the 19th century, the country was torn apart twice after the overthrow of the presidents Francisco Robles and Ignacio de Veintemilla, with regional governments seeking access to national power. Until 1947, the majority of the constitutional presidents of the Republic came to power through coups d'etat, exercising dictatorial power which would be legitimized through the implementation of new constitutions, so that the governance and stability of the presidents has been usually weak, which is why there has been many presiding and interim presidents. There were two military dictatorships in the country (1963–1966 and 1972–1979) before democracy returned with the election of Jaime Roldós Aguilera. From 1996 to 2005, 3 constitutional presidents were overthrown (Abdalá Bucaram, Jamil Mahuad and Lucio Gutiérrez). The left-wing populist government of Rafael Correa (2007–2017) has been the most stable in national history, being able to remain in power constitutionally without interruptions for 10 years and 4 months.[1] José María Velasco Ibarra is the longest-serving president since he held office for a total of 12 years, 10 months and 6 days and was elected President 5 times (1934–35, 1944–47, 1952–56, 1960–61 and 1968–1972).

List of presidents[edit]

No. Portrait Name
(born–died)
Term of office Political party Elected Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Juan José Flores
(1800–1864)
May 3, 1830 August 14, 1830 103 days Independent
August 14, 1830 September 10, 1834 4 years, 27 days 1830
2 Vicente Rocafuerte
(1783–1847)
September 10, 1834 August 8, 1835 332 days Independent
August 8, 1835 January 31, 1839 3 years, 176 days 1835
(1) Juan José Flores
(1800–1864)
February 1, 1839 June 17, 1845
(deposed)
6 years, 136 days Independent 1839
1843
José Joaquín de Olmedo
(1780–1847)
President of the triumvirate
June 17, 1845 December 8, 1845 174 days Independent
3 Vicente Ramón Roca
(1792–1858)
December 8, 1845 October 15, 1849 3 years, 311 days Independent 1843
Manuel de Ascásubi
(1804–1876)
acting
October 15, 1849 December 7, 1850 1 year, 53 days Independent
4 Diego Noboa
(1789–1870)
December 8, 1850 February 25, 1851 79 days Independent
February 25, 1851 September 12, 1851 199 days 1851
5 José María Urvina
(1808–1891)
July 24, 1851 July 17, 1852 359 days Independent
July 17, 1852 October 15, 1856 4 years, 90 days 1852
6 Francisco Robles
(1811–1893)
October 16, 1856 August 31, 1859 2 years, 319 days Independent 1856
7 Gabriel García Moreno
(1821–1875)
January 17, 1861 April 2, 1861 75 days Conservative Party
April 2, 1861 August 30, 1865 4 years, 150 days 1861
Rafael Carvajal
(1818–1881)
acting
August 31, 1865 September 7, 1865 7 days Conservative Party
8 Jerónimo Carrión
(1804–1873)
September 7, 1865 November 6, 1867 2 years, 60 days Conservative Party 1865
Pedro José de Arteta
(1797–1873)
acting
November 7, 1867 January 20, 1868 74 days Conservative Party
9 Javier Espinosa
(1815–1870)
January 20, 1868 January 19, 1869 365 days Conservative Party 1868
Gabriel García Moreno
(1821–1875)
acting
January 19, 1869 May 19, 1869 120 days Conservative Party
Manuel de Ascásubi
(1804–1876)
acting
May 19, 1869 August 10, 1869 83 days Conservative Party
(7) Gabriel García Moreno
(1821–1875)
August 10, 1869 August 6, 1875 † 5 years, 361 days Conservative Party 1869
1875 (May)
Francisco Xavier León
(1832–1880)
acting
August 6, 1875 September 15, 1875 40 days Conservative Party
José Javier Eguiguren
(1816–1884)
acting
September 15, 1875 December 9, 1875 85 days Conservative Party
10 Antonio Borrero
(1827–1911)
December 9, 1875 September 8, 1876 274 days Conservative Party 1875 (Oct.)
11 Ignacio de Veintemilla
(1828–1908)
September 8, 1876 January 26, 1878 1 year, 140 days Military
April 21, 1878 March 26, 1882 3 years, 339 days 1878
March 26, 1882 June 18, 1883 1 year, 84 days
Luis Cordero Crespo
(1833–1912)
Government of the Restoration
July 1, 1892 April 16, 1895 2 years, 289 days Republican Union Party
12 José Plácido Caamaño
(1837–1900)
October 15, 1883 February 10, 1884 118 days Conservative Party
February 10, 1884 June 30, 1888 4 years, 141 days 1884
Pedro José Cevallos
(1830–1892)
acting
July 1, 1888 August 17, 1888 47 days Conservative Party
13 Antonio Flores Jijón
(1833–1915)
August 17, 1888 June 10, 1892 3 years, 298 days Republican Union Party 1888
14 Luis Cordero Crespo
(1833–1912)
July 1, 1892 April 16, 1895 2 years, 289 days Republican Union Party 1892
Vicente Lucio Salazar
(1832–1896)
acting
April 16, 1895 June 5, 1895 50 days Conservative Party
15 Eloy Alfaro
(1842–1912)
June 5, 1895 October 9, 1896 1 year, 126 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
October 9, 1896 August 31, 1901 4 years, 326 days 1897
16 Leónidas Plaza
(1865–1932)
September 1, 1901 August 31, 1905 3 years, 364 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1901
17 Lizardo García
(1844–1937)
September 1, 1905 January 15, 1906 136 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1905
(15) Eloy Alfaro
(1842–1912)
January 16, 1906 October 9, 1906 266 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
October 9, 1906 August 11, 1911 4 years, 306 days 1906
Carlos Freile Zaldumbide
(1851–1928)
acting
August 11, 1911 August 31, 1911 20 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
18 Emilio Estrada
(1855–1911)
September 1, 1911 December 21, 1911 111 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1911
Carlos Freile Zaldumbide
(1851–1928)
acting
December 22, 1911 March 5, 1912 74 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Francisco Andrade Marín
(1841–1935)
acting
March 6, 1912 August 1, 1912 148 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Alfredo Baquerizo
(1859–1951)
acting
August 1, 1912 September 1, 1912 31 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
(16) Leónidas Plaza
(1865–1932)
September 1, 1912 August 31, 1916 3 years, 365 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1912
19 Alfredo Baquerizo
(1859–1951)
September 1, 1916 August 31, 1920 3 years, 365 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1916
20 José Luis Tamayo
(1858–1947)
September 1, 1920 August 31, 1924 3 years, 365 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1920
21 Gonzalo Córdova
(1863–1928)
September 1, 1924 July 9, 1925 311 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1924
First Provisional Government
collective leadership
July 10, 1925 January 6, 1926 180 days
Second Provisional Government
collective leadership
January 10, 1926 March 31, 1926 80 days
22 Isidro Ayora
(1879–1978)
April 3, 1926 April 17, 1929 3 years, 14 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
April 17, 1929 August 24, 1931 2 years, 129 days 1929
Luis Larrea Alba
(1894–1979)
acting
August 24, 1931 October 15, 1931 52 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Alfredo Baquerizo
(1859–1951)
acting
October 15, 1931 August 28, 1932 318 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Carlos Freile Larrea
(1876–1942)
acting
August 28, 1932 September 1, 1932 4 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Alberto Guerrero Martínez
(1878–1941)
acting
September 2, 1932 December 4, 1932 93 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
23 Juan de Dios Martínez
(1875–1955)
December 5, 1932 October 19, 1933 318 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1932
Abelardo Montalvo
(1876–1950)
acting
October 20, 1933 August 31, 1934 315 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
24 José María Velasco Ibarra
(1893–1979)
September 1, 1934 August 21, 1935 354 days Independent 1934
Antonio Pons
(1897–1980)
acting
August 21, 1935 September 25, 1935 35 days Conservative Party
Federico Páez
(1877–1974)
Jefe Supremo
September 26, 1935 October 23, 1937 2 years, 27 days Independent
Alberto Enríquez Gallo
(1894–1962)
Jefe Supremo
October 23, 1937 August 10, 1938 291 days Military
Manuel María Borrero
(1883–1975)
acting
August 10, 1938 December 1, 1938 113 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
25 Aurelio Mosquera
(1883–1939)
December 2, 1938 November 17, 1939 350 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1938
Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río
(1893–1969)
acting
November 18, 1939 December 10, 1939 22 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Andrés Córdova
(1892–1983)
acting
December 11, 1939 August 10, 1940 243 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
Julio Enrique Moreno
(1879–1952)
acting
August 10, 1940 August 31, 1940 21 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
26 Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río
(1893–1969)
September 1, 1940 May 28, 1944 3 years, 270 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party 1940
Julio Teodoro Salem
(1900–1968)
acting
May 29, 1944 May 31, 1944 2 days Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
(24) José María Velasco Ibarra
(1893–1979)
June 1, 1944 August 23, 1947 3 years, 83 days Independent 1944
1946
Carlos Mancheno Cajas
(1902–1996)
Jefe Supremo
August 23, 1947 September 2, 1947 10 days Military
27 Mariano Suárez Veintimilla
(1897–1980)
September 2, 1947 September 17, 1947 15 days Conservative Party 1946
28 C. J. Arosemena Tola
(1888–1952)
September 17, 1947 August 31, 1948 349 days Independent 1947
29 Galo Plaza
(1906–1987)
September 1, 1948 August 31, 1952 3 years, 365 days National Democratic Civic Movement 1948
(24) José María Velasco Ibarra
(1893–1979)
September 1, 1952 August 31, 1956 3 years, 365 days Velaquista National Federation 1952
30 Camilo Ponce Enríquez
(1912–1976)
September 1, 1956 August 31, 1960 3 years, 365 days Social Christian Party 1956
(24) José María Velasco Ibarra
(1893–1979)
September 1, 1960 November 7, 1961 1 year, 67 days Velaquista National Federation 1960
31 C. J. Arosemena Monroy
(1919–2004)
November 7, 1961 July 11, 1963 1 year, 246 days Independent
Admiral
Ramón Castro Jijón
(1915–1984)
Chairman of the Military Junta of 1963
July 11, 1963 March 29, 1966 2 years, 261 days Military
Clemente Yerovi
(1904–1981)
acting
March 30, 1966 November 16, 1966 231 days Institutionalist Democratic Coalition
32 Otto Arosemena
(1925–1984)
November 16, 1966 May 25, 1967 190 days Institutionalist Democratic Coalition
May 25, 1967 August 31, 1968 1 year, 98 days
(24) José María Velasco Ibarra
(1893–1979)
September 1, 1968 February 15, 1972 3 years, 167 days Velaquista National Federation 1968
General
Guillermo Rodríguez Lara
(born 1923)
Chairman of the Council of Government
February 15, 1972 January 11, 1976 3 years, 330 days Military [3]
Vice Admiral
Alfredo Poveda
(1926–1990)
President of the Supreme Council of Government
January 11, 1976 August 10, 1979 3 years, 211 days Military
33 Jaime Roldós Aguilera
(1940–1981)
August 10, 1979 May 24, 1981 1 year, 287 days Concentration of People's Forces 1979
34 Osvaldo Hurtado
(born 1939)
May 24, 1981 August 10, 1984 3 years, 78 days Popular Democracy
35 León Febres Cordero
(1931–2008)
August 10, 1984 August 10, 1988 4 years, 0 days Social Christian Party 1984
36 Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
(born 1935)
August 10, 1988 August 10, 1992 4 years, 0 days Democratic Left 1988
37 Sixto Durán Ballén
(1921–2016)
August 10, 1992 August 10, 1996 4 years, 0 days Republican Unity Party 1992
38 Abdalá Bucaram
(born 1952)
August 10, 1996 February 6, 1997 180 days Ecuadorian Roldosist Party 1996
39 Rosalía Arteaga
(born 1956)
February 9, 1997 February 11, 1997 2 days MIRA Movement [4]
40 Fabián Alarcón
(born 1947)
February 11, 1997 August 10, 1998 1 year, 180 days Alfarista Radical Front
41 Jamil Mahuad
(born 1949)
August 10, 1998 January 21, 2000
(deposed)
1 year, 164 days Popular Democracy 1998 [5]
42 Gustavo Noboa
(1937–2021)
January 22, 2000 January 15, 2003 2 years, 358 days Independent
43 Lucio Gutiérrez
(born 1957)
January 15, 2003 April 20, 2005 2 years, 95 days Patriotic Society Party 2002
44 Alfredo Palacio
(born 1939)
April 20, 2005 January 15, 2007 1 year, 270 days Independent
45 Rafael Correa
(born 1963)
January 15, 2007 May 24, 2017 10 years, 129 days PAIS Alliance 2006
2009
2013
46 Lenín Moreno
(born 1953)
May 24, 2017 May 24, 2021 4 years, 0 days PAIS Alliance 2017
47 Guillermo Lasso
(born 1955)
May 24, 2021 November 23, 2023 2 years, 183 days Creating Opportunities 2021
48 Daniel Noboa
(born 1987)
November 23, 2023 Incumbent 127 days National Democratic Action 2023

Timeline[edit]

Daniel NoboaGuillermo LassoLenín MorenoRafael CorreaAlfredo PalacioLucio GutiérrezGustavo NoboaJamil MahuadRosalía ArteagaFabián AlarcónAbdalá BucaramSixto Durán BallénRodrigo Borja CevallosLeón Febres CorderoOsvaldo HurtadoJaime Roldós AguileraSupreme Government CouncilGuillermo Rodríguez LaraOtto ArosemenaClemente YeroviMilitary JuntaC. J. Arosemena MonroyCamilo Ponce EnríquezGalo PlazaC. J. Arosemena TolaMariano Suárez VeintimillaCarlos Mancheno CajasJulio Teodoro SalemJulio Enrique MorenoAndrés CórdovaCarlos Alberto Arroyo del RíoAurelio MosqueraManuel María BorreroAlberto Enríquez GalloFederico PáezAntonio PonsJosé María Velasco IbarraAbelardo MontalvoJuan de Dios MartínezAlberto Guerrero MartínezCarlos Freile LarreaLuis Larrea AlbaIsidro AyoraSecond Provisional GovernmentFirst Provisional GovernmentGonzalo CórdovaJosé Luis TamayoAlfredo BaquerizoFrancisco Andrade MarínEmilio EstradaCarlos Freile ZaldumbideLizardo GarcíaLeónidas PlazaEloy AlfaroVicente Lucio SalazarLuis Cordero CrespoAntonio Flores JijónPedro José CevallosJosé Plácido CaamañoSupreme Leadership of Manabí and EsmeraldasPentevirato QuiteñoIgnacio de VeintemillaAntonio BorreroJosé Javier EguigurenFrancisco Xavier LeónJuan Javier EspinosaPedro José de ArtetaJerónimo CarriónRafael CarvajalGabriel García MorenoFederal Government of LojaCañar and Azuay (with Guayas)Supreme Leadership of GuayasGovernment of CuencaProvisional Government of QuitoFrancisco RoblesJosé María UrvinaDiego NoboaManuel de AscásubiVicente Ramón RocaJosé Joaquín de OlmedoVicente RocafuerteJuan José Flores

Rival governments in rebellion[edit]

Picture Name Began Ended Title(s)
Vicente Rocafuerte October 20, 1833 July 1834 Jefe Supremo of the Department of the Guayas
José Félix Valdivieso July 13, 1834 January 18, 1835 Jefe Supremo
José Joaquín de Olmedo March 6, 1845 June 18, 1845 President of the Provisional Government
Antonio de Elizalde March 1850 1850 Jefe Supremo
Diego Noboa February 20, 1850 June 10, 1850 Jefe Supremo
José María Urvina July 13, 1851 July 17, 1851 Jefe Supremo
Provisional Government May 1, 1859 June 4, 1859 Members: Gabriel García Moreno (from May 25)
Manuel Gómez de la Torre (to May 25)
José María Avilés
Pacífico Chiriboga
Jerónimo Carrión June 6, 1859 1859
Gabriel García Moreno June 4, 1859 September 17, 1861 Jefe Supremo
Guillermo Franco September 17, 1859 September 24, 1860 Jefe Supremo of Guayas and Azuay
Ignacio de Veintemilla September 8, 1876 December 19, 1876 Jefe Supremo
Eloy Alfaro February 1883 October 11, 1883 Jefe Supremo of Manabí and Esmeraldas
Provisional Government January 14, 1883 July 9, 1883 Members: José María Sarasti
Pedro Ignacio Lizarzaburu
Agustín Guerrero
Luis Cordero Crespo (from February 14)
Pablo Herrera (to February 14)
Rafael Pérez Pareja
Pedro Carbo September 17, 1883 October 11, 1883 Jefe Supremo of Guayas
Eloy Alfaro June 19, 1895 August 23, 1895 Jefe Supremo
Flavio E. Alfaro Santana December 22, 1911 January 1912
Pedro Jacinto Montero Maridueña December 28, 1911 January 21, 1912

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Simón Espinoza (2000). Presidents of Ecuador. Editorial Vistazo
  2. ^ Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Elections and Democracy in Ecuador (1989). TSE
  3. ^ "Military Junta Imposes Curfew And Tight Controls in Ecuador". New York Times. nytimes.com. 17 February 1972. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  4. ^ Goering, Laurie (9 February 1997). "Ecuador Crisis: 3 Presidents, Only 1 Job". Chicago Tribune. chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  5. ^ Barracca, Steven 'Military coups in the post-cold war era: Pakistan, Ecuador and Venezuela', Third World Quarterly, 28:1, 137 - 154