El Carnavalazo: Difference between revisions
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'''El Carnavalazo''' was a military coup in [[Ecuador]] led by [[Guillermo Rodríguez (politician)|Guillermo Rodríguez Lara]] |
'''El Carnavalazo''' was a military [[Coup d'état|coup]] in [[Ecuador]] led by [[Guillermo Rodríguez (politician)|Guillermo Rodríguez Lara]] that deposed the government of [[José María Velasco Ibarra]] on 15 February 1972, ending the fifth and last of the Velasquist presidencies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Aniversario del "Carnavalazo", el gobierno de Rodríguez Lara |url=https://www.elcomercio.com/cartas/cartas-aniversario-carnavalazo-rodriguez-lara.html |website=El Comercio}}</ref> This event was popularly called "Carnavalazo" because it happened during the [[Carnival#Ecuador|Ecuadorian carnival]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Paola Ycaza Oneto |title=50 años del 'Carnavalazo' |url=https://www.elcato.org/50-anos-del-carnavalazo |website=El Cato}}</ref> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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In the [[1968 Ecuadorian general election|1968 general election]] |
In the [[1968 Ecuadorian general election|1968 general election]] José María Velasco Ibarra was democratically elected for a fifth term (1968–1972) as [[President of Ecuador]]. Democratic rule did not last long, with Velasco assuming dictatorial powers with military support in 1970 by suspending [[National Congress (Ecuador)|Congress]] and [[Rule by decree|ruling by decree]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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A failed military coup against his regime took place in 1971, causing Velasco to appoint Guillermo Rodríguez "El Bombita" Lara as the new army commander.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guillermo Rodríguez Lara Biography |url=https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/r/rodriguez_lara.htm |website=Biografías y Vidas}}</ref> In the same year, president Velasco promulgated the Hydrocarbons Law, which declared oil to be a national state patrimony, increased the royalties owed to the |
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| ⚫ | In this political crisis, Velasco's regime promised elections for June 1972, which would make his mandate end on August 31. One of the likely candidates was the former mayor of [[Guayaquil]] [[Assad Bucaram]], considered the favorite candidate.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Armed Forces Oust Ecuador President In a Bloodless Coup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/16/archives/armed-forces-oust-ecuador-president-in-a-bloodless-coup-ecuadors.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> |
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State and regulated foreign oil companies' operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La historia de Ecuador contada a través del petróleo |url=https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/negocios/historia-de-ecuador-contada-a.html |website=El Comercio}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In this political crisis, Velasco's regime promised elections for June 1972, which would make his mandate end on August 31. One of the likely candidates was the former mayor of [[Guayaquil]] [[Assad Bucaram]], considered the favorite candidate.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Armed Forces Oust Ecuador President In a Bloodless Coup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/16/archives/armed-forces-oust-ecuador-president-in-a-bloodless-coup-ecuadors.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The imminent oil boom and prospect of the immense revenues resulting from it sparked planning of a coup by the military, which did not want these oil riches managed by a populist candidate or the traditional oligarchy.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Coup == |
== Coup == |
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Publicly, 1972 began peacefully, with Velasco and army chief Bombita celebrating a new year with a toast. National debates took place about two topics: the possible triumph of Assad Bucaram in the elections and the country's oil future.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diana Romero |title=El Carnavalazo: Así cayó Velasco Ibarra |url=https://www.vistazo.com/actualidad/nacional/el-carnavalazo-asi-cayo-velasco-ibarra-KYVI169366 |website=Vistazo}}</ref> In early February 1972, plans to overthrow Velasco during carnival circulated |
Publicly, 1972 began peacefully, with Velasco and army chief Bombita celebrating a new year with a toast. National debates took place about two topics: the possible triumph of Assad Bucaram in the elections and the country's oil future.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Diana Romero |title=El Carnavalazo: Así cayó Velasco Ibarra |url=https://www.vistazo.com/actualidad/nacional/el-carnavalazo-asi-cayo-velasco-ibarra-KYVI169366 |website=Vistazo|language=es|access-date=2024-07-20}}</ref> In early February 1972, plans to overthrow Velasco during carnival circulated among military circles. |
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According to Rodrigo Rivadeneira, one of Velasco's [[Aide-de-camp|aides-de-camp]], he personally notified Velasco on February 13, the Sunday before the beginning of [[Lent]], while Velasco was in [[Ambato, Ecuador|Ambato]] that the military intended to remove him from power. Velasco indignantly rejected the demand, telling Rivadeneira that he should tell Rodríguez Lara that "if he wants power, he should come and take it from me and I will leave in protest."<ref name=":3"></ref> |
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Velasco returned to Quito the next day, then on February 15, [[Shrove Tuesday]], went to Guayaquil to deliver a televised address.<ref name=":1" /> According to Rivadeneira Velasco was, however, unable to deliver the speech he intended to give without the mass audience he was accustomed to speak to and asked to be allowed to return in an hour.<ref name=":3" /> When he returned to the [[Palacio de Carondelet]] he discovered, however, that the coup had already proceeded; he was arrested and deported to [[Panama]] the next day. |
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On the night of February 15, shrove Tuesday, a bloodless military coup takes power and appoints Rodríguez Lara as president. The coup surprised Velasco in [[Quito]], who traveled to Guayaquil to denounce this action by a television broadcast.<ref name=":1" /> Velasco was arrested by navy officers and deported to [[Panama]] the next day. After the coup, a three‐man junta called the Revolutionary Nationalist Government is established.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Military Junta Imposes Curfew And Tight Controls in Ecuador |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/17/archives/military-junta-imposes-curfew-and-tight-controls-in-ecuador.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> |
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After the coup, a three‐man junta called the Revolutionary Nationalist Government was established.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Military Junta Imposes Curfew And Tight Controls in Ecuador |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/17/archives/military-junta-imposes-curfew-and-tight-controls-in-ecuador.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Most Ecuadorian citizens were not aware of the coup at the time, as radio stations only played music and three TV stations from Guayaquil went off the air.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Most Ecuadorian citizens have not heard of the coup. The radio stations only played music and three TV stations from Guayaquil went off the air.<ref name=":1" /> The intention of the military takeover was the oil administration. With a imminent oil boom, the military did not want the oil riches to be managed by a populist candidate or traditional oligarchy, with that preventing the planned electoral process.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Latest revision as of 00:46, 21 July 2024
| El Carnavalazo | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Ecuadorian government |
Armed Forces of Ecuador | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| José María Velasco Ibarra | Guillermo Rodríguez Lara | ||||||
El Carnavalazo was a military coup in Ecuador led by Guillermo Rodríguez Lara that deposed the government of José María Velasco Ibarra on 15 February 1972, ending the fifth and last of the Velasquist presidencies.[1] This event was popularly called "Carnavalazo" because it happened during the Ecuadorian carnival.[2]
Background
[edit]In the 1968 general election José María Velasco Ibarra was democratically elected for a fifth term (1968–1972) as President of Ecuador. Democratic rule did not last long, with Velasco assuming dictatorial powers with military support in 1970 by suspending Congress and ruling by decree.[1]
A failed military coup against his regime took place in 1971, causing Velasco to appoint Guillermo Rodríguez "El Bombita" Lara as the new army commander.[3] In the same year, president Velasco promulgated the Hydrocarbons Law, which declared oil to be a national state patrimony, increased the royalties owed to the State and regulated foreign oil companies' operations.[4]
In this political crisis, Velasco's regime promised elections for June 1972, which would make his mandate end on August 31. One of the likely candidates was the former mayor of Guayaquil Assad Bucaram, considered the favorite candidate.[5] The imminent oil boom and prospect of the immense revenues resulting from it sparked planning of a coup by the military, which did not want these oil riches managed by a populist candidate or the traditional oligarchy.[2]
Coup
[edit]Publicly, 1972 began peacefully, with Velasco and army chief Bombita celebrating a new year with a toast. National debates took place about two topics: the possible triumph of Assad Bucaram in the elections and the country's oil future.[6] In early February 1972, plans to overthrow Velasco during carnival circulated among military circles.
According to Rodrigo Rivadeneira, one of Velasco's aides-de-camp, he personally notified Velasco on February 13, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent, while Velasco was in Ambato that the military intended to remove him from power. Velasco indignantly rejected the demand, telling Rivadeneira that he should tell Rodríguez Lara that "if he wants power, he should come and take it from me and I will leave in protest."[6]
Velasco returned to Quito the next day, then on February 15, Shrove Tuesday, went to Guayaquil to deliver a televised address.[5] According to Rivadeneira Velasco was, however, unable to deliver the speech he intended to give without the mass audience he was accustomed to speak to and asked to be allowed to return in an hour.[6] When he returned to the Palacio de Carondelet he discovered, however, that the coup had already proceeded; he was arrested and deported to Panama the next day.
After the coup, a three‐man junta called the Revolutionary Nationalist Government was established.[7] Most Ecuadorian citizens were not aware of the coup at the time, as radio stations only played music and three TV stations from Guayaquil went off the air.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Aniversario del "Carnavalazo", el gobierno de Rodríguez Lara". El Comercio.
- ^ a b Paola Ycaza Oneto. "50 años del 'Carnavalazo'". El Cato.
- ^ "Guillermo Rodríguez Lara Biography". Biografías y Vidas.
- ^ "La historia de Ecuador contada a través del petróleo". El Comercio.
- ^ a b c "Armed Forces Oust Ecuador President In a Bloodless Coup". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c Diana Romero. "El Carnavalazo: Así cayó Velasco Ibarra". Vistazo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ "Military Junta Imposes Curfew And Tight Controls in Ecuador". The New York Times.
