Political purge.
Ecuador’s Supreme Court on November 7 ordered former President Rafael Correa (2007-17) to stand trial for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a political opponent in 2012. The order comes amid increasing efforts by President Lenin Moreno to purge Correa supporters from the government, legislature and bureaucracy and consolidate power. Correa, who now lives in Belgium, is out of reach of Moreno and the Supreme Court, but his popularity and influence in Ecuador endures and will cause ongoing problems for Moreno.
The risk of political violence will increase as Correa and his supporters are locked out of formal political institutions.
Correa will find it easier to claim political persecution if attacks against him and his supporters escalate.
The arbitrary use of measures to purge Correa supporters from the state risks undermining trust in democratic institutions.
