| President of Ecuador Country: Ecuador |
Born in , Lucio Gutiérrez Borbúa pursued an engineering degree before joining the Ecuadorian military. As a colonel in the Ecuadorian army, he emerged as a prominent figure.
In , Gutiérrez played a key role in the overthrow of then-President Jamil Mahuad. After handing over power to Vice President Gustavo Noboa, Gutiérrez was granted amnesty and retired from the military.
Gutiérrez founded the "21st of January" political movement. Running on a leftist platform, he emerged as a frontrunner in the presidential elections.
Gutiérrez proposed the creation of a "club of debtors," consisting of indebted Latin American countries, to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He believed that Ecuador's economy could not prosper while 40% of its budget was allocated to debt servicing.
Beyond economic cooperation, Gutiérrez aspired for the eventual unification of Latin America into a single nation, envisioning its realization centuries into the future.
In the second round of the presidential elections, Gutiérrez emerged victorious. His election marked a significant shift towards leftist leadership in Ecuador.
Gutiérrez's presidency was characterized by his focus on economic recovery and regional cooperation. He sought debt restructuring from the IMF and advocated for foreign investment. Additionally, he established closer ties with other Latin American nations, including Venezuela and Cuba.