Chavez ally surges in Ecuador's presidential race

Leftist presidential front-runner of Ecuador Rafael Correa jokingly whips his belt around during a campaign rally in Salcedo, Ecuador, south of Quito, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006. The elections are set to take place on Oct. 15. Recent polls show Correa backed by about 26 percent of likely voters, 7 points ahead of his closest challenger Leon Roldos, a center-left former vice president. 'Correa' is a homonym for belt in Spanish. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa R).

Associated Press

September 28, 2006

[Editor's Note: Hmmm, just a couple months ago the Associated Press was telling us that Latin America's "Leftist tide may be ebbing." Perhaps their crystal ball is playing tricks on them. This AP report is telling, but some of the language is problematic. Chavez and Correa are not "anti-U.S." They're anti-imperialist. Unfortunately, the business-controlled press refuses to draw the distinction (because its own interests are tied up with imperialism).]

PUJILI, Ecuador - A U.S.-trained economist has suddenly become the front-runner in Oct. 15 presidential elections by pledging to "give the lash" to his nation's corrupt political class and delivering an anti-U.S. message similar to that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

On a recent afternoon, Rafael Correa spoke to thousands of Indians in their native Quichua, reminding them that he lived among them two decades ago as a volunteer teacher and development worker, and brandishing a belt as he spoke out against the politicians who have long oppressed them.

"Dale Correa!" — "Give them the belt!" — the crowd responded, a play on the candidate's name.

Correa, 43, pledges to cut foreign debt payments and renegotiate contracts with foreign oil firms to benefit Ecuador's poor majority. A relative political newcomer, he has risen suddenly in the polls in the last two weeks, alarming Washington and Wall Street — not to mention Ecuador's political establishment...

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