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[]
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] Dr. 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[]
No. | Picture | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Party | Title(s) | |
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1 | ![]() |
Juan José Flores (1800–1864) |
May 3, 1830 | September 10, 1834 | Independent | Jefe Supremo (May 3, 1830 – August 14, 1830) Provisional President (August 14, 1830 – September 22, 1830) President (September 22, 1830 – September 10, 1834) |
2 | ![]() |
Vicente Rocafuerte (1783–1847) |
September 10, 1834 | January 31, 1839 | Independent | Jefe Supremo of Guayas (September 10, 1834 – June 22, 1835) Jefe Supremo Chief of the State (June 22, 1835 – August 8, 1835) President (August 8, 1835 – January 31, 1839) |
(1) | ![]() |
Juan José Flores (1800–1864) |
February 1, 1839 | March 6, 1845 | Independent | President (February 1, 1839 – January 15, 1843) Provisional President (January 15, 1843 – April 1, 1843) President (April 1, 1843 – March 6, 1845) |
— | ![]() |
José Joaquín de Olmedo (1780–1847) |
March 7, 1845 | December 8, 1845 | Independent | Head of Provisional Government |
3 | ![]() |
Vicente Ramón Roca (1792–1858) |
December 8, 1845 | October 15, 1849 | Independent | President |
— | ![]() |
Manuel de Ascásubi (1804–1876) |
October 15, 1849 | December 7, 1850 | Independent | Interim President |
4 | ![]() |
Diego Noboa (1789–1870) |
December 8, 1850 | September 12, 1851 | Independent | Interim President (December 8, 1850 – February 25, 1851) President (February 26, 1851 – September 13, 1851) |
5 | ![]() |
José María Urvina (1808–1891) |
July 24, 1851 | October 15, 1856 | Independent | Jefe Supremo (July 24, 1851 – July 17, 1852) Interim President (July 17, 1852 – September 6, 1852) President (September 6, 1852 – October 15, 1856) |
6 | ![]() |
Francisco Robles (1811–1893) |
October 16, 1856 | August 31, 1859 | Independent | President |
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Governments of the Crisis
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Provisional Government of Quito | September 4, 1859 | January 10, 1861 | Members: Gabriel García Moreno Jerónimo Carrión Rafael Carvajal | |||
Government of Cuenca | May 6, 1859 | November 13, 1859 | Leaders: Jerónimo Carrión (May 6, 1859 – 7 May 1859) Francisco Robles and Guillermo Franco (May 8, 1859 – September 27, 1859) Ramón Borrero (September 27, 1859 – November 13, 1859; with Quito) | |||
Supreme Leadership of Guayas | August 21, 1859 | September 24, 1860 | Leader: Guillermo Franco | |||
Cañar and Azuay (with Guayas) | November 13, 1859 | March 3, 1860 | Leader: Mariano Moreno | |||
Federal Government of Loja | September 18, 1859 | March 23, 1860 | Leader: | |||
7 | ![]() |
Gabriel García Moreno (1821–1875) |
January 17, 1861 | August 30, 1865 | Conservative Party | Interim President (January 17, 1861 – April 2, 1861) President (April 2, 1861 – August 30, 1865) |
— | ![]() |
Rafael Carvajal (1818–1881) |
August 31, 1865 | September 7, 1865 | Conservative Party | Acting President |
8 | ![]() |
Jerónimo Carrión (1804–1873) |
September 7, 1865 | November 6, 1867 | Conservative Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Pedro José de Arteta (1797–1873) |
November 7, 1867 | January 20, 1868 | Conservative Party | Acting President |
9 | ![]() |
Javier Espinosa (1815–1870) |
January 20, 1868 | January 19, 1869 | Conservative Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Gabriel García Moreno (1821–1875) |
January 19, 1869 | May 19, 1869 | Conservative Party | Interim President |
— | ![]() |
Manuel de Ascásubi (1804–1876) |
May 19, 1869 | August 10, 1869 | Conservative Party | Interim President |
(7) | ![]() |
Gabriel García Moreno (1821–1875) |
August 10, 1869 | August 6, 1875 | Conservative Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Francisco Xavier León (1832–1880) |
August 6, 1875 | September 15, 1875 | Conservative Party | Interim President |
— | ![]() |
José Javier Eguiguren (1816–1884) |
September 15, 1875 | December 9, 1875 | Conservative Party | Interim President |
10 | ![]() |
Antonio Borrero (1827–1911) |
December 9, 1875 | September 8, 1876 | Conservative Party | President |
11 | ![]() |
Ignacio de Veintemilla (1828–1908) |
September 8, 1876 | January 10, 1883 | Military | Jefe Supremo (September 8, 1876 – January 26, 1878) President (April 21, 1878 – March 26, 1882) Jefe Supremo (March 26, 1882 – January 10, 1883) |
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Governments of the Restoration
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"Pentevirato Quiteño" | January 14, 1883 | October 15, 1883 | Members: José María Plácido Caamaño Luis Cordero Agustín Guerrero Pedro Lizarzaburu Rafael Pérez Pareja | |||
Supreme Leadership of Manabí and Esmeraldas | June 5, 1883 | October 15, 1883 | Leader: Eloy Alfaro | |||
Supreme Leadership of Guayas | July 10, 1883 | October 15, 1883 | Leader: Pedro Carbo | |||
12 | ![]() |
José Plácido Caamaño (1837–1900) |
October 15, 1883 | June 30, 1888 | Conservative Party | Interim President (October 15, 1883 – February 10, 1884) President (February 10, 1884 – June 30, 1888) |
— | ![]() |
Pedro José Cevallos (1830–1892) |
July 1, 1888 | August 17, 1888 | Conservative Party | Acting President |
13 | ![]() |
Antonio Flores Jijón (1833–1915) |
August 17, 1888 | June 10, 1892 | Republican Union Party | President |
14 | ![]() |
Luis Cordero Crespo (1833–1912) |
July 1, 1892 | April 16, 1895 | Republican Union Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Vicente Lucio Salazar (1832–1896) |
April 16, 1895 | June 5, 1895 | Conservative Party | Acting President |
15 | ![]() |
Eloy Alfaro (1842–1912) |
June 5, 1895 | August 31, 1901 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Jefe Supremo (June 5, 1895 – October 9, 1896) Interim President (October 9, 1896 – January 17, 1897) President (January 17, 1897 – August 31, 1901) |
16 | ![]() |
Leónidas Plaza (1865–1932) |
September 1, 1901 | August 31, 1905 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
17 | ![]() |
Lizardo García (1844–1937) |
September 1, 1905 | January 15, 1906 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
(15) | ![]() |
Eloy Alfaro (1842–1912) |
January 16, 1906 | August 11, 1911 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Jefe Supremo (January 16, 1906 – October 9, 1906) Interim President (October 9, 1906 – January 1, 1907) President (January 1, 1907 – August 11, 1911) |
— | ![]() |
Carlos Freile Zaldumbide (1851–1928) |
August 11, 1911 | August 31, 1911 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
18 | ![]() |
Emilio Estrada (1855–1911) |
September 1, 1911 | December 21, 1911 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Carlos Freile Zaldumbide (1851–1928) |
December 22, 1911 | March 5, 1912 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
— | ![]() |
Francisco Andrade Marín (1841–1935) |
March 6, 1912 | August 1, 1912 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
— | ![]() |
Alfredo Baquerizo (1859–1951) |
August 1, 1912 | September 1, 1912 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
(16) | ![]() |
Leónidas Plaza (1865–1932) |
September 1, 1912 | August 31, 1916 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
19 | ![]() |
Alfredo Baquerizo (1859–1951) |
September 1, 1916 | August 31, 1920 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
20 | ![]() |
José Luis Tamayo (1858–1947) |
September 1, 1920 | August 31, 1924 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
21 | ![]() |
Gonzalo Córdova (1863–1928) |
September 1, 1924 | July 9, 1925 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
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First Provisional Government | July 10, 1925 | January 6, 1926 | |||
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Second Provisional Government | January 10, 1926 | March 31, 1926 | |||
22 | ![]() |
Isidro Ayora (1879–1978) |
April 3, 1926 | August 24, 1931 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Interim President (April 6, 1926 – April 17, 1929) President (April 17, 1929 – August 24, 1931) |
— | ![]() |
Luis Larrea Alba (1894–1979) |
August 24, 1931 | October 15, 1931 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Minister of Government |
— | ![]() |
Alfredo Baquerizo (1859–1951) |
October 15, 1931 | August 28, 1932 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President of the Senate |
— | ![]() |
Carlos Freile Larrea (1876–1942) |
August 28, 1932 | September 1, 1932 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Minister of Government |
— | ![]() |
Alberto Guerrero Martínez (1878–1941) |
September 2, 1932 | December 4, 1932 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President of the Senate |
23 | ![]() |
Juan de Dios Martínez (1875–1955) |
December 5, 1932 | October 19, 1933 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Abelardo Montalvo (1876–1950) |
October 20, 1933 | August 31, 1934 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
24 | ![]() |
José María Velasco Ibarra (1893–1979) |
September 1, 1934 | August 21, 1935 | Independent | President |
— | ![]() |
Antonio Pons (1897–1980) |
August 21, 1935 | September 25, 1935 | Conservative Party | Acting President |
— | ![]() |
Federico Páez (1877–1974) |
September 26, 1935 | October 23, 1937 | Independent | Jefe Supremo |
— | ![]() |
Alberto Enríquez Gallo (1894–1962) |
October 23, 1937 | August 10, 1938 | Military | Jefe Supremo |
— | ![]() |
Manuel María Borrero (1883–1975) |
August 10, 1938 | December 1, 1938 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Interim President |
25 | ![]() |
Aurelio Mosquera (1883–1939) |
December 2, 1938 | November 17, 1939 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río (1893–1969) |
November 18, 1939 | December 10, 1939 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
— | ![]() |
Andrés Córdova (1892–1983) |
December 11, 1939 | August 10, 1940 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
— | ![]() |
Julio Enrique Moreno (1879–1952) |
August 10, 1940 | August 31, 1940 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
26 | ![]() |
Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río (1893–1969) |
September 1, 1940 | May 28, 1944 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | President |
— | ![]() |
Julio Teodoro Salem (1900–1968) |
May 29, 1944 | May 31, 1944 | Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party | Acting President |
(24) | ![]() |
José María Velasco Ibarra (1893–1979) |
June 1, 1944 | August 23, 1947 | Independent | President of the Republic (June 1, 1944 – August 10, 1944) Constitutional President (August 10, 1944 – March 30, 1946) President of the Republic (March 30, 1946 – August 10, 1946) Constitutional President (August 10, 1946 – August 23, 1947) |
— | ![]() |
Carlos Mancheno Cajas (1902–1996) |
August 23, 1947 | September 2, 1947 | Military | Jefe Supremo |
27 | ![]() |
Mariano Suárez Veintimilla (1897–1980) |
September 2, 1947 | September 17, 1947 | Conservative Party | President |
28 | ![]() |
C. J. Arosemena Tola (1888–1952) |
September 17, 1947 | August 31, 1948 | Independent | President |
29 | ![]() |
Galo Plaza (1906–1987) |
September 1, 1948 | August 31, 1952 | National Democratic Civic Movement | President |
(24) | ![]() |
José María Velasco Ibarra (1893–1979) |
September 1, 1952 | August 31, 1956 | Velaquista National Federation | President |
30 | ![]() |
Camilo Ponce Enríquez (1912–1976) |
September 1, 1956 | August 31, 1960 | Social Christian Party | President |
(24) | ![]() |
José María Velasco Ibarra (1893–1979) |
September 1, 1960 | November 7, 1961 | Velaquista National Federation | President |
31 | ![]() |
C. J. Arosemena Monroy (1919–2004) |
November 7, 1961 | July 11, 1963 | Independent | President |
— | ![]() |
Military Junta of 1963 | July 11, 1963 | March 29, 1966 | Military | Members: Ramón Castro Jijón Luis Cabrera Sevilla Guillermo Freile Posso (until November 9, 1965) Marcos Gándara |
— | ![]() |
Clemente Yerovi (1904–1981) |
March 30, 1966 | November 16, 1966 | Institutionalist Democratic Coalition | Acting President |
32 | ![]() |
Otto Arosemena (1925–1984) |
November 16, 1966 | August 31, 1968 | Institutionalist Democratic Coalition | Interim President (November 16, 1966 – May 25, 1967) Constitutional President (May 25, 1967 – August 31, 1968) |
(24) | ![]() |
José María Velasco Ibarra (1893–1979) |
September 1, 1968 | February 15, 1972 | Velaquista National Federation | President (September 1, 1968 – June 22, 1970) Jefe Supremo (June 22, 1970 – February 15, 1972) |
— | ![]() |
Guillermo Rodríguez Lara (born 1924) |
February 15, 1972 | January 11, 1976 | Military | President (de facto) |
— | ![]() |
Supreme Council of Government | January 11, 1976 | August 10, 1979 | Military | President of the Council: Vice Admiral Alfredo Poveda Members: General General |
33 | ![]() |
Jaime Roldós Aguilera (1940–1981) |
August 10, 1979 | May 24, 1981 | Concentration of People's Forces | President |
34 | ![]() |
Osvaldo Hurtado (born 1939) |
May 24, 1981 | August 10, 1984 | Popular Democracy | President |
35 | ![]() |
León Febres Cordero (1931–2008) |
August 10, 1984 | August 10, 1988 | Social Christian Party | President |
36 | ![]() |
Rodrigo Borja Cevallos (born 1935) |
August 10, 1988 | August 10, 1992 | Democratic Left | President |
37 | ![]() |
Sixto Durán Ballén (1921–2016) |
August 10, 1992 | August 10, 1996 | Republican Unity Party | President |
38 | ![]() |
Abdalá Bucaram (born 1952) |
August 10, 1996 | February 6, 1997 | Ecuadorian Roldosist Party | President |
39 | ![]() |
Rosalía Arteaga (born 1956) |
February 6, 1997 | February 11, 1997 | Independent Movement for an Authentic Republic | President* (Arteaga is considered an official president by the office of the Presidency) |
40 | ![]() |
Fabián Alarcón (born 1947) |
February 11, 1997 | August 10, 1998 | Alfarista Radical Front | Interim President* (Alarcón is considered an official president by the office of the Presidency) |
41 | ![]() |
Jamil Mahuad (born 1949) |
August 10, 1998 | January 21, 2000 (deposed.[3]) |
Popular Democracy | President |
42 | ![]() |
Gustavo Noboa (1937–2021) |
January 22, 2000 | January 15, 2003 | Independent | President |
43 | ![]() |
Lucio Gutiérrez (born 1957) |
January 15, 2003 | April 20, 2005 | Patriotic Society Party | President |
44 | ![]() |
Alfredo Palacio (born 1939) |
April 20, 2005 | January 15, 2007 | Independent | President |
45 | ![]() |
Rafael Correa (born 1963) |
January 15, 2007 | May 24, 2017 | PAIS Alliance | President |
46 | ![]() |
Lenín Moreno (born 1953) |
May 24, 2017 | May 24, 2021 | PAIS Alliance | President |
47 | ![]() |
Guillermo Lasso (born 1955) |
May 24, 2021 | Incumbent | Creating Opportunities | President |
Timeline[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/g412d7bbhqx0ptr4hccug2mcs4jhr29.png)
Rival governments in rebellion[]
Picture | Name | Began | Ended | Title(s) |
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Vicente Rocafuerte | October 20, 1833 | July 1834 | Jefe Supremo of the Department of the Guayas |
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July 13, 1834 | January 18, 1835 | Jefe Supremo | |
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José Joaquín de Olmedo | March 6, 1845 | June 18, 1845 | President of the Provisional Government |
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March 1850 | 1850 | Jefe Supremo | |
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Diego Noboa | February 20, 1850 | June 10, 1850 | Jefe Supremo |
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José María Urvina | July 13, 1851 | July 17, 1851 | Jefe Supremo |
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Provisional Government | May 1, 1859 | June 4, 1859 | Members: Gabriel García Moreno (from May 25) (to May 25) José María Avilés |
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Jerónimo Carrión | June 6, 1859 | 1859 | |
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Gabriel García Moreno | June 4, 1859 | September 17, 1861 | Jefe Supremo |
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Guillermo Franco | September 17, 1859 | September 24, 1860 | Jefe Supremo of Guayas and Azuay |
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Ignacio de Veintemilla | September 8, 1876 | December 19, 1876 | Jefe Supremo |
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Eloy Alfaro | February 1883 | October 11, 1883 | Jefe Supremo of Manabí and Esmeraldas |
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Provisional Government | January 14, 1883 | July 9, 1883 | Members: Luis Cordero Crespo (from February 14) (to February 14) Rafael Pérez Pareja |
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Pedro Carbo | September 17, 1883 | October 11, 1883 | Jefe Supremo of Guayas |
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Eloy Alfaro | June 19, 1895 | August 23, 1895 | Jefe Supremo |
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December 22, 1911 | January 1912 | ||
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December 28, 1911 | January 21, 1912 |
See also[]
References[]
- Presidents of Ecuador
- Politics of Ecuador
- Ecuador-related lists
- 1830 establishments in Ecuador
- Lists of national presidents