Rafael Correa blamed the Ecuadorian people for the economic situation

The former president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, who is in asylum in Belgium after being convicted of corruption, sparked controversy by blaming Ecuadorian voters for the crisis the country is facing.

In an interview given to the media "Radio Tú," he stated that citizens are not only victims but also accomplices of their tragedy for electing "improvised" governments and "charlatans" since he left power in 2017. These arrogant statements show an attempt by Correa to distance himself from responsibility for the current problems.

Correa, who governed Ecuador for a decade, criticized voters for not analyzing the consequences of their decisions at the polls. "Don't expect paternalism from me," he declared, accusing them of choosing leaders incapable of managing the country's structural crises, such as insecurity, unemployment, and the energy crisis.

According to him, the principles that characterized his administration were abandoned by subsequent governments, even though it was his principles that led the South American country to a devastating situation.

Since leaving office, Correa and his party failed in the presidential elections of 2021 and 2023, although they reached the runoff in both instances. However, the former president blamed his successors and the electorate for "destroying the country" and perpetuating economic and social problems.

He also used his status as an asylum seeker in Belgium to legitimize his claims, denying being corrupt by pointing out that "a corrupt person wouldn't be granted political asylum in Belgium."

Political analysts have pointed out these statements as a sign of disrespect and lack of self-criticism. Political scientist César Febres-Cordero highlighted that, instead of mobilizing a neutral electorate, Correa seems focused on disqualifying it, making any possibility of political reconciliation difficult.

Correa's history of corruption, including his conviction for leading a bribery scheme to benefit his political movement, Alianza PAIS, remains a reference point in his infamous legacy.

During his administration, Ecuador accumulated an external debt that still impacts public finances. These accusations have eroded his credibility and, for many, undermine his attempt to hold voters accountable for the current problems.

In conclusion, Correa's controversial statements have deepened the debate about his role in Ecuador's crises. His discourse, rather than mobilizing his base or generating consensus, is interpreted as an attack on citizens, reflecting a political strategy that prioritizes confrontation over building solutions.