Inside The Americas - Forajidos and the fall of Gutierrez

On January 13, 2003, former coronel Lucio Gutierrez was sworn into power as president of Ecuador. A principal actor in the overthrow of former President Jamil Mahuad in 2000 alongside the indigenous movement, Gutierrez styled himself as a president of the left, and was elected on a platform of change. However, Gutierrez quickly made deals with the IMF, developed close ties with Washington, dissolved the Supreme Court to appoint members of his own party, and charged with corruption. The country rose up in response. Thousands took to the streets, demanding Gutierrez be removed from power. He was out of power by April 20, 2005.