Bribes ends an era of arrogance and corruption

The country fell into a deep division during the 10 years that Rafael C. , sentenced to eight years in prison for the crime of aggravated passive bribery – in the case of Bribes 2012-2016 – was in office.

Rafael Correa: Casois Sobornos ends an era of arrogance and corruption

That division gradually diminished credibility for Ecuador , especially in the area of investment, since bilateral relations were also affected, especially with the United States.

The “Saturdays” became not only the showcase where he “informed his constituents”, but it was the tool from which he insulted and disqualified the media and, likewise, his opponents. The female journalists who questioned him were also his target. He gave them discriminatory and offensive treatment , even hinting at their physical appearance.

Countless events gradually diminished the acceptance of those who gave him the vote in 2006, 2008 and 2013, when he was re-elected for his third term.

The arrogant and confrontational style with which he wielded power and that in these times of crisis, from Belgium , continues to externalize it through social networks , has marked the beginning of the end of an era that he identified as Socialism of the Century XXI.

Gabriela Rosas, a professor at the International University, believes that her influence will continue for a time, taking into account that she still retains what is called the “captive vote”, and that, she said, it should not be ignored. He recalled that the former president worked that social base for 10 years and in general “is a group that follows those populist leaderships .”

About those groups that still follow him, he stated that they are poorly informed and “do not understand the seriousness of a former president being sentenced for acts of corruption .”

Rosas stressed that the ex-president has a political group that is struggling to ignore the authorities and generate a coup d’etat so that the judicial decisions are reversed .

However, the journalist Christian Zurita, who revealed the corruption plot that motivated the fiscal investigation and the sentence against Rafael C., stated that the former president’s political influence will diminish over time, and when his party is diluted, because it has no leaders .

He pointed out that historically this has happened with other politicians, such as Alberto Dahik or Abdalá Bucaram, who had legal problems and were very popular in their time, but have already been forgotten. “This will happen with Correa. The sentence means the end of his ability to act as a politician in Ecuador , since it will be difficult for him to return to respond to justice, so that he will live as an expatriate, ”said Zurita.

He added that, at this time, the former president’s primary objective is “to save his skin.” “They do not care about the crisis we are experiencing,” said Gabriel Hidalgo, a professor at the University of the Americas (UDLA). With the sentence – Hidalgo stressed – he will no longer have proselytizing aspirations.

Corruption

The former president printed an investment and public works policy with the alleged slogan of promoting the poorest with infrastructure, schools, roads. But this meant a huge public debt that has influenced the serious crisis at all levels that the country is currently facing.

In addition, the Ecuadorian justice verified that companies like Odebrecht paid bribes to officials and ministers to obtain contracts with a price premium.

These acts of corruption brought to prison the former vice president of the last period of Correísmo, Jorge Glas, who is serving a five-year sentence.

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/caso-sobornos-corrupcion