[20210908]IF11218_厄瓜多尔：概述.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated September 8, 2021Ecuador: An OverviewEcuador is a small, ethnically and geographically diverse country of 17.5 million inhabitants, located in South America between Colombia and Peru (See Figure 1). President Guillermo Lasso of the conservative Creating Opportunities (CREO) party took office for a four-year term in May 2021. He has pledged to build on the accomplishments of former President Lenn Moreno (2017-2021), who implemented liberal political and economic reforms and pursued closer ties with the United States. Like his predecessor, Lasso could face resistance from some sectors of the population and in the divided legislature. Political and Economic Background During a decade in power (2007-2017), leftist populist President Rafael Correa brought some stability to Ecuadors previously tumultuous political scene. He governed in an increasingly authoritarian manner, however, constraining freedom of assembly and association, stifling freedom of the press and expression, and restricting independence of the judiciary. Correa also presided over a public investment-driven economic expansion, with growth averaging 5% annually between 2010 and 2014