President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

[GringodeQuito]

Obama has dealt more effectively with much larger issues than Correa ever could and without limiting freedoms of speech, using tax-payer money to mount an intimidating propaganda machine, insulting anybody who stands in his way (and their family members) and breaking the laws to his convenience. To the person asking the question, who was so flattered by the laughter and applause, be aware that Correa is nothing more than a new brand of dictators - those who use demagogy to gain power.

[kostasyfantis]

@GringodeQuito I wanted to ask a question about Iran because I was intrigued by Obama's pledge to engage with the Iranian government & disappointed that he hadn't followed up on his pledge. My spontaneous question - I did not design it to elicit laughter. I've never lived in Ecuador thus I don't know how his policies affect his country & citizens. I hope Ecuador's democracy is healthy enough to allow its citizens to participate in elections that enable them to express their will.

[GringodeQuito]

@kostasyfantis I just re-read my comments and I think my tone was unfair. Of course your intention was not to elicit laughter but I do think your question implicitly give a lot of undeserved credit to Correa. He's a populist, he wins elections yes, but he also has dissolved all institutions under this veil of 'democracy'. Many argue he has done a lot for Ecuador, and I do give him a lot of credit, but in my book of morality the Ends will never justify the Means. Thanks for your comment.

[dialpol]

obviamente no conoces los problemas de nuestra gente, vives en una nube amigo mio, este hombre en verdad quiere cambiar nuestro pais

el no se ha doblegado ante sicarios internacionales, parece que te gusta vivir de rodillas ante ellos.Ya te daras cuenta cuando se vaya este este presidente, pues puede suceder, otro vendra y pondra nuestro pais en venta

[GringodeQuito]

@dialpol Primero, no soy tu amigo. Y no seas el tipico hipocrita que lanza ese calificativo para despues insultarme ("..vivir de rodillas.."). Segundo, conozco muy bien la realidad de nuestra gente y si quieres discutir algun aspecto en concreto, con gusto. Tercero, no dudo que este hombre quiera cambiar nuestro pais pero el FIN no justifica el MEDIO. Y todos los medios que ha usado Correa han sido, en mi opinion, de lo peor. Hasta peor que la vieja "partidocracia" que supuestamente rechazan.

[GringodeQuito]

What concrete steps of engagements can there be with a country who believes that Israel should not exist, negates the holocaust and continues to build weapons of mass destruction? It upsets me when people who know very little about Correa or about Ecuador ask these types of adulatory questions. Correa give advice to Obama? Give me a break! And what Correa doesn't mention in his answer is that our "sovereign" foreign relations are determined by Hugo Chavez. Wake up!

[MultiEdu1984]

DIOS BENDIGA AL PRESIDENTE-.---

[Ninotchka999]

RAFAEL CORREA is honest, he has helped to Ecuador with: free health, free education, helps workers, support for pensioners, he created the world's greenest constitution, helping the disabled people by giving them work, Oil money is not going into debt, is going for Ecuadorians, Rafael Correa is the best president of the world, it's a shame that U.S. is caught between Democrats and Republicans, I hope to have more alternatives such as socialism.

[sumakatzu]

Rafael Correa el padre de América, orgullo de todo el continente, y el gran transformador del Ecuador

[ginasuarez]

In the name of Ecuador I ask for your forgiveness for listening this Donkey of President (dictator) and my appologies for having yo hear all his crap. And can someone please write to me and tell WTF did he say???

And to all of those brown noses, HE IS a DICTATOR

[darytul]

hey US people, you live the way as you live, is because we give you our natural resources and our work , southamerica it's the continent with the greatest natural resources in the world. you need all from us, and you're putting your foot over our presidents and our people to keep those resources in your hands. There are a few presidents who doesn't want this way of economy order, never again.Correa, Chavez ,Morales. we shall be free from your domination, and that day it's coming soon.

[ChiquitaMPaz]

pepelonazo!!!!!!!! uno mas de los tanto q esta bestia nos "regala". q vergüenza...

[pidosilencio]

@ChiquitaMPaz calla, no sabes ni que hablas, no creo que sabes ni ingles y ya estas opinando.

[crazyzabo]

Thank you for the kind words, nyc. Firstly, as a technological sophisticate, you may have heard that using all capsitals is the equivalent of cyber shouting - it's obnoxious. I have talked with numerous Ecuadorians, and they have told me that they are happy with the recent road improvements (infrastructure), but they are very concerned with Mr. Correa's turn toward suppression of expression. He should be able to handle the press himself without resorting to a corrupt judiciary.

[crazyzabo]

Firstly, thank you for the kind words, nyc. Firstly, as a technological sophisticate, you may have heard that using all capsitals is the equivalent of cyber shouting - it's obnoxious. I have talked with numerous Ecuadorians, and they have told me that they are happy with the recent road improvements (infrastructure), but they are very concerned with Mr. Correa's turn toward suppression of expression. He should be able to handle the press himself without resorting to a corrupt judiciary.

[nycworldsfair]

ESTE PRESIDENTE SI TIENE HUEVOS Y DICE LAS VERDADES EN LA CARA, BIEN CORREA

[nycworldsfair]

AMAZING , THIS IS A GREAT RESIDENT  I HOPE HE KEEPS HIS GOOD WORK..

[acidee100]

Correa is an extremely smart man, maybe too smart for the people..

[bambinirvana]

Im from Ecuador and one thing I can tell, and very secure of this, that he is in love for this country, he wanna make correct things and choose the best way to do it... With referendums, and constantly reporting what is going on in every week.. I dont now why some people in my country hate so much Rafael may be for the "changes that involves me to change". I'm pretty sure that some time after his presidency this guys will say ohh we were fine with Correa....

[MrLE0NO]

Correa is the best president in the history of Ecuador.

The press and the opposition are fighting against him, that why they call him a dictator, etc. But in Ecuador and even in sudamerica he is popular. So,please stop with the "There´s no freedom of speech in my country" because you know is a lie.

[crazyzabo]

It´s time to renounce this shameless alumni of the University of Illinois. His actions against the press provide great injury to la patria Ecuatoriana, and insult to the University of Illinois and the State of Illinois, and a serious crime against humanity.

I suggest you follow this with Human Rights Watch and I respect your rights to express your opinions (even in obnoxious CAPS!). Don´t worry no $40,000 dollar fines or three years in jail, here.

[nycworldsfair]

@crazyzabo MY LITTLE BLIND FRIEND , FIRST U NEED TO KNOW ECUADOR AND ITS PEOPLE TO KNOW WHATS REALLY HAPPENING,  DONT JUST BELIEVE CNN . YOU NEED TO GO ON LINE MORE TO SEE THE WORLD HAS CHANGED WITHOUT YOU NOTICING. SORRY IN COLLEGE BUT I TELL YOU PEOPLE KNOW DAYS KNOW PROBABLY MOR THAN YOU BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLLOGY.

[nycworldsfair]

UN VERDADERO GENIO, MUY BIEN PRESIDENTE CORREA....

[chicaguayaca]

Rafael Correa is a dictator. There´s no freedom of speech in my country, thanks to him. He holds, in reality, all powers. About 70% of all TV, newspapers, magazines were seized by Correa's government in Ecuador. There's no freedom of enterprise either.

[natanaelitinho]

excuse me..!!

but this guy has better things to do than learning this bullshit language!!!

I dare you to have a debate with the guy in Spanish..

and what if the people from Ecuador wants him as a dictator cuz in my personal consideration and according to the press is better him over the opposition dumb ass candidates whom have a degree as the result of money...lol

Alvaro Noboa Ponton??

 Alvaro who??

Alvaro Laboa Piton!!

my friend said that lol

[nycworldsfair]

PRESIDENT CORREA GOT TO POWER FROM SCRATCH , BEING POOR , BUT WITH HIS OWN EFFORT HE MADE IT . AND NOW HES PERFORMING IN AN EXELLENT WAY BENEFITING ALL ECUADORIANS .

[ecuaguap]

@nycworldsfair Correa is an asshole, es un sucio y barato dictador.

[arribaperu83]

No comments...

[gualberto4]

i guess he is doing a very good job inside of Ecuador but he can do bit better

[principle145]

Good job,if Ecuadorian people say that they live better now than before,that doesnt mean communism at all,why to be closed minded?to think that Ecuador will be like Venesuela? or Cuba?AND so on,those who complain about the present government are the same people investors that contaminated the nation with their oil companies and no president would stand up for the people to kick them out or to regulate the way they operate their companies,im proud as ecuadorian i say thanks press.Correa.

[JonetaDonsa]

Need to marry you **busizz4me.info**

[MrLE0NO]

Correa is the best president in the history in my country and we the people will be there to protect him and our constitution. he is not a dictator or any other than a democratic elected president.

[hatahata665]

@MrLE0NO yes well said Im Ecuadorian too and I live here in USA , Correa is the best president ever in the history of Ecuador. No president have never done what Correa is doing.

[marcelo1262]

Let me see...last time that I was in Ecuador? 20 years ago when the basic sallary was 80.00 dls a month, when thousands of profetionals had to leave the country because the lock of opportunyties, when our indigenus did not even dreamed to be part of the goberment, when the reach got reacher, today's Ecuador is a lot different from the time that I leaved there, I'm glad that Correa continue this change and I know there will be somebody else that will continue after him.

[chevere1234]

@marcelo1262 Ignore carlospelaez1, he's just a frustraded impotent against over 70% of the population in Ecuador. First time in Ecuador we have an excellent President but never will be enough for some guys that just want to discredit the truth. We have now a President whos done so much for our country after hundreds of years of corruption by the same guys of always. Bucaran, Leon, Gutierrez, Mahuad, even the ones that weren't on the power but untouchables like Isaias and family. VIVA CORREA!!!!

[carlospelaez1]

He is just a hypocrite, plus he really needs some English classes

[carlospelaez1]

he is just a hypocrite 

[sppoky]

@carlospelaez1 and you must be a frustrated politician...or someone getting money from lucio guiterrez, or stupid enough to think that with him we were better...

[carlospelaez1]

@sppoky hey sputy, I'm not a politician or Lucio's fan, even worse getting money from someone just for write here or back someone... You are talking bullshit just like your idol the pig correa.. One advice to you; get a real job

[marcelo1262]

He is a trully democratic elected president, the only president that has take care of the real problems that faces my country. I hope the wright win let him to continue bringing up out of the poverty to Ecuador.

[carlospelaez1]

@marcelo1262 Out poverty? we are getting in to more and more poverty and crime. marcelo when was the last time you were in Ecuador? or when was the last time you walk out your house?, because you are talking about of a very different country, and no about the real Ecuador and the pathetic level this bad president is taking it ... pls stop covering the true and be honest with the rest of the readers (oh well that is your job so it is kind of adsorb to ask that, anyway i'm trying)

[sppoky]

I feel so proud of my president!!! DALE CORREA!!!

[carlospelaez1]

@sppoky proud? you must be another of his ass likers, getting money for nothing. You should be ashamed of yourself

[sppoky]

@carlospelaez1 no, soy una estudiante universitaria con criterio propio para ver por mi misma que es lo que esta bien y lo q esta mal que recibe una excelente educacion gratuita despues de haber pagado por años mas de 1000 dolares por algo que era funcion del estado y q gracias al presidente por fin se cumplio, soy una ecuatoriana que ve el avance que esta teniendo el pais, vias obras y que simplemente no se deja lavar el cerebro por lo que dice la prensa.. ESTOY ORGULLOSA DEL PRESIDENTE Y QUE!

[carlospelaez1]

@sppoky Y que???? bueno estas ciega, eres hipocrita o mentirosa. Si estas orgullosa de esa basura de presidente, bueno, q se pone hacer... eres libre, pero te digo q me das lastima.

[rer140]

Chavez has also been "democratically" elected many times and he is not a democrat. Democracy is not only about elections, it is of balance of powers between institutions and liberty among their people, qualities we don't currently have in our countries with these type of governments.

[Antonio33s]

@rer140, you are right.

Communism is being IMPOSED on Ecuadorians through lies, manipulation, intimidation, FRAUD, and SCAMS, such as this SELF COUP to justify additional oppression.

Like Castro, Chávez, Morales, and the rest of the Marxist thugs, Correa is destroying the country, multiplying poverty, corruption and violence, and enslaving people.

The SCAMS of these thugs are similar to the "help-the-poor" Obamacare scam, which far from helping the poor, multiply poverty and dependency.

[377750]

@Antonio33s YOU'RE A DUMB ASS YOU DO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMUNIST AND SOCIALISM??? IF YOU DON'T GOOGLE IT YAL FIND WHAT IT IS. NO OFFENCE BUT SINCE ECUADOR BECAME FREE FROM THE IMPERIALIMS MANY SAY ECUADOR IS COMMUNIST HA HA YOU'RE A CLOWN

[Antonio33s]

@377750, thank you for your insults!

Coming from brainwashed lemmings, any insults are welcome! You may call what's happening in Ecuador communism, socialism, or whatever you want to call it, but all INFORMED people understand that it's the same CANCER that has destroyed Cuba and is destroying and enslaving Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua.

It's the CANCER that transformed Cuba from a properous, happy and FREE country into a GULAG of abject misery where the only hope is being able to escape.

[rer140]

@Antonio33s tks man, we shouldn't discuss anymore with these closeminded radical leftist, they cannot sustain their arguments with any real reason, new they have started their insults and I'm not gonna waist my time anymore with them.

[billyricoysexi]

Multiplying poverty?? Corruption?? Slaving people?? Do you even think when you write? Shame on you! I’m Ecuadorian and I love traveling around my country searching for new places to explore! You can’t imagine how changed everything is! Finally most of the people have a good live, food education and a good place to live! I really thank god he came to govern my country! We were tired of bull shit presidents! Hasta la Victoria siempre !

[pipirilo]

@Antonio33s that's not true at all

[chillipeanuts]

He has balls of steel, he is a real man.

[carlospelaez1]

@chillipeanuts lol he was crying like a lil kid the last Sept. 30 lol fricking asshole

[1meter65]

Correa es un presidente estudiador: preparado! El mejor que hemos tenido.

[carlospelaez1]

@1meter65 bueno por mas preparacion q tenga, el cerdo este no la esta demostrando ni empleando en el manejo del pais... es mas ha q enviarlo a tomar unas cuantas clases de ingles, porq para una persona q se japta de tanta preparacion este parasito no habla el idioma ingles como lo deberia hacer

[nelsitonaq1]

haces quedar mal a la oposicion, hablas de preparacion y no puedes escribir correctamente ni el español, el presidente no se (japta) si no que podria jactarse, lo cual no es correcto tampoco, el presidente demuestra su preparacion y es lo que deberias hacer tambien tu, Demuestralo? 

[carlospelaez1]

@nelsitonaq1 Primeramente nelsito no soy de ninguna oposicion y si el burro ese (tu presidente) al igual q tu se JACTAN de mucho pero a la final van a acabar con nada... gobierno corrupto, hipocrita y ladron

[rer140]

the President Corre talks like a democrat outside the country and as a communist inside Ecuador. 

[kostasyfantis]

@rer140

politicians are artful communicators adapt their words to their audience... the question that I have is whether he is democratically elected or not.

[samuelpinot]

@kostasyfantis

yes , he was elected democratically

[taxituer46]

@kostasyfantis El Presidente Correa ha sido varias veces elegido democraticamente, es decir por la mayoria. Igual que el senor Obama, solo que en USA, el sufragio es opcional, por lo que el electo es producto de una MINORIA, y eso, NO ES DEMOCRATICO.

[kostasyfantis]

@taxituer46 I have yet to see a truly democratic system actualized... elections here in the USA are optional indeed & our low participation rates are a demonstration of how ineffective the system is. our elections are held on Tuesday when a lot of people are at work! absurdity maximized but there is intent...

[KGBfbiSECUpolitia]

0:25 is he the SouthAMERICAn President who was attacked by his OWN Security/Police?What a hero HIMself and even thePolice as they didn't attack an Old Lady like english police do.

Take it out on a man, especially your own president,if U are a "policeMAN",not on an Old,VulnerableLady who had trusted u & given u a CoverStory/WayOut+tried to protect U Profesionally&Personally.I had promised U I'd take theFALL if it goes Wrong & I did as i'm now TOTAL_y RUINed.I have been with U to HELL....&Back!

[xXCIENFUEGOSXx]

@kostasyfantis I voted for him, and so did 51% of the people in Ecuador, is what you call democracy, stop watching fox news!

[kostasyfantis]

@xXCIENFUEGOSXx Your reaction leaves me quite surprised because I have not questioned whether you voted for Correa and I have not doubted whether he was democratically elected in any of the comments that I have posted so far for this video. Please ensure that you are not confusing my commentary with someone else’s.

[cipher2004]

@rer140 You obviously do not know what a communist is.

[chevere1234]

@rer140 if Correa was a communist, the country wouldn't even have internet, he is socialist and firt of all cristian catholic. So, your comments are absurd and to answer your question YES he was democratically elected an won with a forceful 75%

[chevere1234]

@rer140 "If" Correa was a communist, the country wouldn't even have internet, everybody knows that communism doesn't work at all. He is socialist and firt of all cristian catholic. So, your comments are absurd and to answer your question YES he was democratically elected an won with a forceful 75%

[rer140]

@chevere1234 China and Vietnam are communist countries and people have access to the Internet... I have never said he wasn't democratly elected, so you may be confused. What is said is that democracy is not only about elections, but of balance of power, which we don't currently have in Ecuador.

[carlospelaez1]

@chevere1234 and YES he is a hypocrite and his government is corrupt 100%, he is nothing else but a Fidel Castro Wanna be... dragging the whole country to misery (more than we already are) and terror

[377750]

@rer140 you're a dumbass there's no fucking comunist in Ecuador I'm ecuadorian and believe me ecuador is more free than the U.S.

[DjRufoo2222]

@rer140 I live in Ecuador ,can u tell me what is comunism? because i dont see it  sorry my english is very bad lol

[joseblazer]

@rer140 fuck you

[Ventorez]

@rer140 not that theres anything wrong with that and democracy and communism arent contradictory you can have democracy within communism

[kostasyfantis]

My thoughts are with President Correa and the people of Ecuador in this time of personal and national turmoil.

[377750]

@kostasyfantis fuck u talking bout? are even a ecuadorian? if you are what do u call the past?

[kostasyfantis]

@377750 yes, of course, non-Ecuadorians have no right to have an opinion...make some argument without profanities and I'll consider responding.

[Lordmij]

At least the man speaks some decent English

[newlevel81]

Incluso en otros países conserva su sentido del humor y se nota que tiene madera de catedrático. Claro que le falta un poco más de práctica en lo referente a pronunciación, pero por lo menos puede comunicarse sin problema alguno. No como el anterior presidente, como lo comentaban, que a duras penas puede hablar el español, peor el inglés. Y como dice Correa aquí: "a nosotros no nos interesa los problemas nucleares entre Irán y los EU, nos interesa vender nuestros guineos (bananas)".

[MrByron0101]

@newlevel81 HACI ES CAMARADA ,,,PERO RECUERDO MUCHO AL LUCIO,,,JAJAJA ESE HP NO SOLO NO SABIA INGLES ,SINO Q ALGUNAS VECES LOS CONTRATOS EN INGLES NISIQUIERA LOS MANDABA A TRADUCIR ,EL MAN SOLO DECIA DONDE FIRMO Y YA ,,,,Q DIFERENCIA CON CORREA

[PatronLiga]

@MrByron0101 jajajajaja  la plena todabia me acuerdo que andaba orgulloso de que ya estaban en acuerdos con el TLC que rata

[AMAZONAX]

perdemas mas terreno en la guerra del Banano.....EU no acepta las condisiones que los negociadores imponen.....=resultado nulo!

[condor1081983]

Dale correa

[chechevite]

This is the the first time we, ecuadorians citizens, have the possibility to argue real problems in other language. Our last president before Rafael Correa, Clnel. Lucio Gutiérrez can barely speak spanish. I feel so proud Rafael is leading my country. Viva Correa!

[juliofajardo1]

DOBLE MORAL?

CHINA, GRAN SOCIO COMERCIAL / CUBA BLOQUEO ECONOMICO,

INGLETERRA LIBERA TERRORISTA SENTENCIADO POR ATENTADO QUE MATO CIENTOS DE AMERICANOS / PAIS AMIGO

COLOMBIA PRINCIPAL PRODUCTOR DE DROGA EN EL MUNDO / PRINCIPAL ALIADO EN LATINOAMERICA

ECUADOR QUIERE VENDER BANANAS A IRAN / PAIS EN LA LISTA DE SOSPECHOSOS DE AUSPICIAR LAVADO DE DINERO Y FINANCIAR TERRORISMO

EL PUEBLO AMERICANO ES LA PRICIPAL VICTIMA DE ESTA DOBLE MORAL IMPUESTA POR EL PODER ECONOMICO-POLITICO

[Ecuadorian777]

Que maestro mi presidente ... que orgullo

[Ecuadorian777]

Muy bien que orgullo de presidente!!!!!!!!!.... 

[marylascano7]

I feel proud for my president, I know is not perfect, but with good education.

[geob3k]

I like his eloquence. and in most of his comments, one can really find a non-bias unedited and quite frank and realistic truth. Of course, he is the president of one of the smallest and least populated countries of Latinamerica ; nevertheless, he doesn't allow the typical closed-minded unilateral pressure, that the major powers always apply to get their ways through smaller countries, affect it's programme, that;s is bringing his country forward to the world stage. kudos!

[kostasyfantis]

@geob3k He doesn't provide the 'wooden' responses that we are used to from politicians. He doesn't hail from a family dynasty. And he did graduate from a public university with the highest degree possible. Two thumbs up for Rafael.

[geob3k]

@kostasyfantis quite remarkable!

[quepasa0627]

you know even though English is not the first language that Correa speaks, he answered the questions in a proper way, It is always hard to argue in a language that is not yours, people who speak English should know that In Latin America Mr. Correa's speeches are the best (in Spanish). It would be marvelous that there were subtitles in English for every speech of Correa

[mauri337]

Maybe is something that they should start doing in every youtube of correa. So they can let the world know how good he is.

In a second thought .....do people from eeuu really care about any other president points of views are? hmmm i guess it wouldn't hurt to submit a suggestion to whoever makes his youtube's happen.

[MrFredy84]

buena por rafael correa me gusto mucho asi se abla sige adelante

[campoverdedavid]

ese rafiko....un chucha....no puedo decir q es el mejor presidente del ecuador pero si puedo decir q es el mas preparado intelectualmente....

[joseblazer]

es un lider tremendo este man

[DiegoOnline]

Nice ese Inglesaso de my president Correa....Todo un poliglota..He speaks like 5 different languages...!!!! The best Ecuadorian President Ever...!!!!

[exinferiz]

If indeed Correa is so high on poll numbers, then why keep controlling most of the media outlets? Why spending such vast amounts of capital in propaganda. The brainwashing in Ecuador is starting to look like the one in Venezuela. Ecuadorians dont like to be ruled by arbitrary and authoritarian rulers. If they are so popular, then why do you need to brainwash an entire population with constant government propaganda? This looks like Orwells 1984. Americans have no idea what is really going on.

[ioroman]

@exinferiz first of all, "The brainwashing in Ecuador" is your assertion. If you need to know why his government needs to inform the population of its policies and accomplishments, the answer is very simple: because Ecuador has suffered a long history of misinformation from the media controlled by a wealthy minority who see in Correa an enemy they must destroy in order to regain their power. If Correa wanted to brainwash the population he would have no interest on improving education ......

[exinferiz]

@ioroman Many of the accomplishments(usually only the first stones) are covered by ALL the mayor media. Government has no business in running media outlets. It is YOUR assertion that the government is the only one in the position to inform. I dare anyone to turn to national tv channels. Soon you will see a great amount of government attacks. Saturday mornings, there are no cartoon shows, its just the president attacking his political opponents. They should campaign during elections, not now.

[ioroman]

@exinferiz, our views differ on Rafael Correa's handling of his weekly address to the nation. I made a comment on what you wrote; you put words in my mouth as I do not think the government should have monopoly on information; on the contrary, I believe there should be a balance. Previous governments did not need to counteract private media as they represented the same views; those of the elite. I disagree with some of his language; however, his is not different form that of his detractors.

[exinferiz]

@ioroman Can you prove such a thing, that all views expressed in the media only express the views of certain secret elite that protects their own interests? Or is it simply that media outlets thrive on presenting inconvenient truths? There is a difference between private vs. public media. in Ecuador we have GOVERNMENT MEDIA.. NOT PUBLIC. Government media should not counter private media. Since government has unfair leverage. In any case it must be public and that is not what we have.

[karoldgg]

@exinferiz wrote "I dare anyone to turn to national tv channels.... Saturday mornings, there are no cartoon shows, its just the president attacking his political opponents ". False, because only the public TV channels and some radios retransmitted when the President speaks every Saturday, but not all the national TV channel or all the radios. The national TV channels shows whatever they want. If you haven't seen cartoon is probably because they are showing soap opera instead.

[fierced1989]

Now the pollster linked to one of the most bitter political parties against the government: Cedatos Gallup. Correa's popularity 42%.

UNIVERSE: NONE.

TECNICAL PROCEDURE: NONE.

Segments: ONLY 9 CITIES.

Error: NONE

Confidence: NONE.

And these are the people that pretend to defend freedom of speech or licentiousness of difamation??

[fierced1989]

Santiago Perez - Correa's popularity - 60%

UNIVERSE: People older than 16.

TECNICAL PROCEDURE: Direct interview in homes per conglomerate.

SAMPLE: 1830 national cases (random) according to the base of the electoral roll..

Segments: Zona: Urban Coast, Rural Coast, Urban Highlands and Rural Highlands.

Error: +-3.9%

Confidence: 95.5%

[fierced1989]

False, false and false. ALL THE ELECTIONS were legitimetely won before more than 100 international observers. The support from the people WAS HUGE, and the support from the people TODAY keeps being HUGE. Not only that, here are also the parameters taken from two different pollsters, it continues...

[fierced1989]

Well known policy of intimidation that forces the media to "sanitize" the news??? I'm speechless hehe....

And Teleamazonas??? Please let's raise the level of the debate....Do these people know who are the owners of Telemazonas?? "El grupo Issaias" people that DESTROYED the country and provoked the emigration of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ECUADOREANS.

[fierced1989]

Those who want to know who are the owners of the "NOBLE" media of Ecuador please visit the following video on Youtube: "No te dejes engañar por los medios de comunicacion Oligarcas."

[denkulast]

I can't believe that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign awards a person like President Correa. A president who's implementing an authoritarian, one-man government state with political and economical policies that are destroying the Ecuadorian economy and also a government partnering with the governments of Venezuela, Cuba and Iran to be highly hostile against the USA

[arribaperu83]

@denkulast I agree with you. I respect Mr. Correa and I don't think he is a bad person, but aligning his thoughts with ideas from Chavez, Evo Morales or Castro is not a good sign. Ecuador's GDP is growing, but at a much slower pace than other economies from Latin America.

[newlevel81]

@arribaperu83 Our growing as a country is susteined, and I know were behind some countries in Latin America, but for example we don't exploite our workers for some foreign investment. We care about our people, beside that, we don't have the huge financial support from the US as Colombia, Chile and many more. And these political decisions are going to allow us to keep our precious flora and fauna intact for the next generation, instead of some dollars from the oil incomes.

[sac522]

Today inflation in Ecuador is around 4%, illiteracy is well below 5%, the CIA is finally out of our police forces, more and more state-of-the-art schools are getting built in my country. Our national industry is finally getting the government support it needs. After over 20 years of negligent goverments, Correa finally pushed to finish the onstruction of our hydro-power plant Mazar. I can certainly attest to the fact that my president is working day and night for my country.

[sharrisec]

@sac522 I challenge you to come back and visit so you can see if all this BS is true.

[sac522]

I am an Ecuadorian bridge design engineer who designs interchanges across the United States. I was born and raised in Ecuador, went to school, like President Correa, did in the USA. In my 28 years of life, I have never been happier to have a president that simply is not afraid of first power countries and their impossisions to developing countries.

[ANSEESVE]

@sac522 Completely agree !!

[fierced1989]

False, the government does not control most of the media. Please search on Google: TV from Ecuador, Radios from Ecuador, Newspapers from Ecuador (Prensaescrita). And the government does not even control 20% of all the media in Ecuador, not even the most important ones! So that is just one of the BIGGEST lies among all the lies that keep trying to confuse people. If the government were to control most of the media, you would have not even reached that conclusion.

[sharrisec]

@fierced1989 I agree that the governement does not control most of the media, nevertheless, there is a well-known policy of intimidation that forces the media to "sanitize" the news. Let's not forget the 245 "cadenas" per year thrown in our faces here. We all know that only Teleamazonas dares to speak out and we saw what that gets them, right?

[fierced1989]

Specific financial agreements....money laundering not done by COLOMBIA or Brasil???? Please allow me....HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­AHHAHAHAHAHA!! Please serve yourself and search on Google the following key words: colombia financial agreements money laundering and it will explode! Simply unbelievable.

[fierced1989]

Not only Correa was elected TWICE by the PEOPLE (those who still think the United States is a democracy PLEASE visit the following video URGENTLY here on Youtube: Conservative American Ideology Explained, where people are considered savages without course). But he was supported FIVE TIMES before more than 100 international observers. It continues...

[sharrisec]

@fierced1989 Yes, there were TWO presidential elections. I agree the first one was legitimitely won. The second one, however was one just like Chavez always "wins" in Venezuela. The voting fraud was obvious and Teleamazonas daring to cover this got them sanctioned, right? Correa could have 20% popularity and still win because he has his tentacles in every facet of the public offices.

[kostasyfantis]

I do not live in Ecuador nor am I well versed in the policies that Correa pursues there. I attended a speech that he gave at his Alma Mater - the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was impressed with his eloquence and openess. He allowed the audience to ask improptu questions, not pre-approved and totally uncensored. Very few politicians allow that especially sitting presidents. Getting a PhD at 34 with a wife and two kids is also quite an impressive accomplishment.

[ANSEESVE]

Ecuador is with you Rafa !!

[exinferiz]

@ANSEESVE No they are not.

[ANSEESVE]

@exinferiz Of course we are, you are gonna tell me that u trust in "Cedatos"....

[exinferiz]

As an ecuadorian, I am ashamed of this pseudorepresentative of Ecuador dealing with anti-democratic and theocratic countries that don't contribute in any positive way to the prosperity of our people. Its just an in-your-face attitude, of arbitrariy picking closer relations with countries the U.S. government dislikes with good reason. Our people would reject dealing with a nation which prohibited the use of twitter to silence freedom of speech. In Ecuador similar things are starting to happen.

[picutocu89]

@exinferiz this "pseudorepresentative of Ecuador" as you call him, is your president, elected by your people twice. Try to learn something about what`s being done in Ecuador instead of falling into political cliché.

Como dijo el presidente, si a EE.UU. le preocuparian tanto las relaciones comerciales con Iran, porque no sanciona a Brasil o Colombia?

[exinferiz]

@picutocu89 Well, even Bush was elected twice. Correa is really sneaky, an escape artist, the problems are not simply because of trade. Its because of specific financial agreements that enable money laundering. Those are not done by either Brasil or Colombia. So the inclusion of Ecuador in GAFI is understandable. Yet, this president is naively dealing with dangerous nations in dangerous ways.

[jacpavo]

Probably you are missunderstanding whats going on in Ecuador, because you don't live there, so people notice changes in our country, hugh changes that u can't imagine, the alliance with Iran is just for cooperate in nuclear energy production and also comercial. Correa has the 65 % of aprouval and has passed 3 years of his work "that should mean something",,,, before he became president there was a national phrase " El deporte nacional del Ecuador es tumbar presidentes"

GAFI is corruption

[exinferiz]

@jacpavo That just means there are no good options.  Ecuadorians are more divided than ever before. Investment in the country lags compared to its neighbors. Uncertainty from local and foreign investment is palpable. Thats not to say there arent few good things that he is doing well. Like the investment in infrastructure, yet that is not something truly revolutionary when the private sector cant take advantage of it to stimulate job creation.

[exinferiz]

@jacpavo In addition, the government currently owns and controls most of the media in Ecuador. Much like Berlusconi in Italy. In that situation, it is really difficult to lose an election.

[sharrisec]

@picutocu89 EE.UU. no sancionó a Ecuador. Las sanciones vienen del GAFI (FAFT), basado en Francia. Please get your facts straight.

[picutocu89]

@sharrisec yo nunca siquiera mencione el GAFI, el informe en el que se dice que ecuador viola los derechos humanos no tiene nada que ver con el GAFI, viene directamente del Departamento de Estado de EE.UU.