Ecuador
In Latin America, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA) – a cooperation organization for center-right parties in Latin America and a member of the International Democrat Union (IDU)..
Population: 15 million (2011 estimate)
Area: 283 561 km2
GDP (PPP): 115,3 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 8 000 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 3,7 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state and head of government: Rafael Correa Delgado
Ecuador emerged as one of three states after the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830. The other two were Colombia and Venezuela. Between the years of 1904 and 1942, Ecuador was forced to cede territory due to conflicts with its neighbors. Politically, the situation in Ecuador has been turbulent at times. Corruption is a major problem and the situation is aggravated by political instability and a weak legal system. The situation pertaining to human rights is problematic. Freedom of speech and press are generally respected.
In May 2008, the Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur) was founded. It is a union of the South American nations modelled on the EU. The union already has twelve member states, though its function is, as of yet, mostly symbolic.
Since 2006 the socialist Rafael Correa Delgado is the president and was reelected in 2009 with 52 percent of the votes. The latest parliamentary election took place in april 2009 and resulted in a socialistic majority with Correa’s Alianza PAIS as the biggest party with 59 mandates.
The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the opposition party Partido Social Cristiano (PSC).
