History of Ecuador in Timeline
Ecuador, officially known as the Republic of Ecuador, is a nation situated in northwestern South America. It shares borders with Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Additionally, Ecuador encompasses the Galápagos Islands, located about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) west of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. The capital city of Ecuador is Quito, while its largest city is Guayaquil.
11 April 2021: Guillermo Lasso wins presidential election
On 11 April 2021, conservative former banker Guillermo Lasso won the presidential election with 52.4% of the vote, defeating left-wing economist Andrés Aráuz who received 47.6%. Lasso had previously finished second in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.
15 October 2023: Daniel Noboa wins presidential election
On 15 October 2023, centrist candidate Daniel Noboa won the presidential election with 52.3% of the vote against leftist candidate Luisa González.
May 1904: Tobar-Rio Branco Treaty
On 6 May 1904, Ecuador signed the Tobar-Rio Branco Treaty with Brazil, recognizing Brazil's claims to the Amazon and affirming Ecuador's status as an Amazonian country.
1904: Peaceful Treaty with Brazil
In 1904, Ecuador signed a treaty with Brazil, peacefully ceding territories and continuing its efforts to define its borders.
1910: Border Dispute Arbitration
In 1910, the border dispute between Ecuador and Peru was submitted to Spain for arbitration, but it ultimately did not resolve the issue.
1911: British Immigration to Ancón
In 1911, the town of Ancón experienced a wave of British immigration when the Ecuadorian government conceded 98 mines to the British oil company Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields.
July 1916: Muñoz Vernaza-Suarez Treaty
On 15 July 1916, Ecuador and Colombia signed the Muñoz Vernaza-Suarez Treaty, defining borders and recognizing rights to the Putumayo and Napo rivers.
1916: Territorial Loss to Colombia
In 1916, Ecuador lost contested territories to Colombia through a series of peaceful treaties, continuing a trend of territorial concessions.
1920: Air Academy Cosme Rennella established
In 1920, the Air Academy Cosme Rennella was established in Salinas to graduate air force officers.
1921: Emergency Quota Act
In 1921, the Emergency Quota Act in the United States restricted immigration, leading many Southern and Eastern Europeans, including Italians, to emigrate to Ecuador instead.
March 1922: Salomon-Lozano Treaty
On 24 March 1922, the Salomon-Lozano Treaty was signed, ending a brief war between Colombia and Peru over the Caquetá region, with Ecuador protesting the treaty.
July 1924: Ponce-Castro Oyanguren Protocol
On 21 July 1924, the Ponce-Castro Oyanguren Protocol was signed between Ecuador and Peru, agreeing to hold direct negotiations and resolve disputes equitably.
1925: Julian Revolution
In 1925, Ecuador experienced the Julian Revolution, a military uprising that ended the liberal wing's control, which had started with the Liberal Revolution of 1895.
1930: Lebanese Immigrants
By 1930, there were 577 Lebanese immigrants and 489 of their descendants residing in Ecuador.
1933: Ashkenazi Jews Arrive
In 1933, Ashkenazi Jews began arriving in Ecuador, primarily as refugees escaping the rise of National Socialism in Germany.
September 1935: Negotiations in Washington
On 30 September 1935, Ecuadorian and Peruvian representatives began negotiations in Washington, which eventually broke down in 1937.
1936: Compulsory voting established
Since 1936, Ecuador has mandated compulsory voting for all literate persons aged 18–65.
September 1937: Breakdown of Negotiations
On 29 September 1937, Peruvian representatives decided to break off negotiations with Ecuadorian representatives in Washington.
1939: Jewish Refugees Admitted
In 1939, Ecuador admitted 165 Jewish refugees from Germany aboard the ship Koenigstein, while several other South American countries refused entry.
1940: Jewish Population in Ecuador
By 1940, the Jewish population in Ecuador had grown to approximately 3,000 people, largely due to the influx of Ashkenazi Jewish refugees.
July 1941: Ecuador-Peru War Begins
In July 1941, hostilities between Ecuador and Peru erupted over disputed territories around the Zarumilla River, leading to a major invasion by Peruvian forces.
January 1942: Rio Protocol Signed
On 29 January 1942, the Rio Protocol was signed, ending the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War and favoring Peru with the territory they occupied.
1942: Protocol of Rio de Janeiro
In 1942, after a short war, Ecuador signed the Protocol of Rio de Janeiro with Peru, resulting in territorial losses for Ecuador.
1944: Glorious May Revolution
In 1944, the Glorious May Revolution successfully removed dictator Carlos Arroyo del Río from power in Ecuador.
1950: Infant Mortality Rate
In 1950, the infant mortality rate in Ecuador was approximately 140 per 1,000 live births.
1950: Jewish Population Peak
The Jewish population of Ecuador peaked at around 4,000 individuals in 1950 before beginning to decline.
1964: Texaco begins operations in Ecuadorian Amazon
In 1964, Texaco began its operations in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, drilling numerous wells and creating toxic wastewater pits.
1967: Public Health Care System
In 1967, the current structure of the Ecuadorian public health care system was established, with the Ministry of Public Health responsible for regulation and policy creation.
1972: Military coup by General Guillermo Rodríguez
In 1972, a military junta led by General Guillermo Rodríguez and navy commander Jorge Queirolo G. overthrew the government of Velasco Ibarra. The new president exiled José María Velasco to Argentina.
1972: Completion of Andean Pipeline
In 1972, the construction of the Andean pipeline was completed, making Ecuador South America's second largest oil exporter.
1973: Ecuador joins OPEC
In 1973, Ecuador joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
1976: Change in military government
In 1976, Admiral Alfredo Poveda led a military junta that removed General Guillermo Rodríguez from power. Poveda became chairman of the Supreme Council, which included two other generals.
1978: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In 1978, Quito and the Galápagos Islands were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, becoming the first two properties in the world to receive this designation.
April 1979: Elections under new constitution
On 29 April 1979, elections were held under a new constitution in Ecuador. Jaime Roldós Aguilera was elected president with over one million votes, becoming the first constitutionally elected president after nearly a decade of dictatorships.
1980: Foundation of Partido Pueblo, Cambio y Democracia
In 1980, President Jaime Roldós Aguilera founded the Partido Pueblo, Cambio y Democracia (People, Change, and Democracy Party) after withdrawing from the Concentración de Fuerzas Populares.
February 1981: Paquisha Incident
In February 1981, the Paquisha Incident occurred, a border skirmish between Ecuador and Peru in the Cordillera del Cóndor region.
May 1981: Death of President Jaime Roldós Aguilera
On 24 May 1981, President Jaime Roldós Aguilera, his wife, and the minister of defense died when their Air Force plane crashed near the Peruvian border. Vice President Osvaldo Hurtado immediately succeeded him.
1984: Election of León Febres Cordero
In 1984, León Febres Cordero from the Social Christian Party was elected president of Ecuador.
1986: Lebanese Descendants
In 1986, an estimate from Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there were 100,000 Lebanese descendants in Ecuador.
1988: Election of Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
In 1988, Rodrigo Borja Cevallos of the Democratic Left party won the presidency, defeating Abdalá Bucaram in the runoff election. His government focused on human rights and opening Ecuador to foreign trade.
1991: Indigenous Languages in 1991
In 1991, Northern Kichwa (Quechua) and other pre-colonial American languages were spoken by about 2,500,000 people in Ecuador.
1992: Ecuador suspends OPEC membership
In 1992, Ecuador suspended its membership in OPEC.
1992: Texaco ends operations in Ecuadorian Amazon
In 1992, Texaco ended its operations in the Ecuadorian Amazon, leaving behind significant environmental contamination.
January 1995: Cenepa War
In January 1995, full-scale warfare known as the Cenepa War erupted between Ecuador and Peru over disputes in the Cordillera del Cóndor region.
1995: Cenepa War
In 1995, the Cenepa War was fought between Ecuador and Peru. It was a significant military conflict in the region.
1996: Primary Enrollment Rate
In 1996, Ecuador had a net primary enrollment rate of 96.9%, with 71.8% of children staying in school until the fifth grade.
October 1998: Brasilia Presidential Act peace agreement
On 26 October 1998, Ecuador and Peru signed the Brasilia Presidential Act peace agreement, which ended hostilities and resolved the Western Hemisphere's longest-running territorial dispute. The agreement involved border adjustments and land leases to settle the conflict.
May 1999: Final border demarcation
The final border demarcation between Ecuador and Peru took effect on 13 May 1999. This demarcation was part of the peace agreement signed the previous year.
June 1999: MOMEP troop withdrawal
On 17 June 1999, the multinational Military Observer Mission for Ecuador and Peru (MOMEP) withdrew its troops following the successful implementation of the Ecuador-Peru peace agreement.
1999: Economic Growth Between 1999 and 2007
Between 1999 and 2007, Ecuador's GDP doubled, reaching $65,490 million, according to the Central Bank of Ecuador.
1999: Decline in Extreme Poverty
By 2010, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador had significantly declined from its 1999 level. This was partly due to emigration and economic stability from adopting the U.S. dollar.
1999: Opposition gains control of Congress
In 1999, continuing economic problems led to the opposition gaining control of Congress, undermining the popularity of the Democratic Left party.
April 2000: Adoption of US Dollar
On 13 April 2000, Ecuador adopted the United States dollar as its national currency in an effort to stabilize the economy. Later that year, on 11 September, the country eliminated the Ecuadorian sucre.
2000: Economic Growth Between 2000 and 2006
Between 2000 and 2006, Ecuador's economy grew at an average rate of 4.6%, driven by commodities like petroleum and agricultural products.
2000: Adoption of U.S. Dollar
In 2000, Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency, which helped stabilize the economy and reduce extreme poverty.
2000: Health Care Ranking
In the year 2000, Ecuador ranked 111th in terms of the most efficient health care countries.
2001: Extreme Poverty Rate in 2001
In 2001, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador was estimated to be at 40% of the population, but it began to decline in the following years.
2002: Colombian and Venezuelan Refugees
Starting from 2002, there has been a significant increase in Colombian and Venezuelan refugees entering Ecuador due to civil unrest and economic crises in their home countries.
2003: Amnesty International report on human rights
In 2003, an Amnesty International report criticized the lack of prosecutions for human rights violations by Ecuadorian security forces, highlighting issues such as torture, overcrowding in prisons, and delayed legal processes.
April 2005: Removal of President Lucio Gutiérrez
In April 2005, President Lucio Gutiérrez was removed from office by Congress. Vice President Alfredo Palacio took over the presidency.
2006: Economic Growth Between 2000 and 2006
Between 2000 and 2006, Ecuador's economy grew at an average rate of 4.6%, driven by commodities like petroleum and agricultural products.
2006: Economic Improvement and Poverty Reduction
In 2006, Ecuador saw a significant reduction in poverty, decreasing from 36.7% to 22.5%. This period also marked an improvement in the country's Gini index of economic inequality from 0.55 to 0.47.
2006: Trade Balance in 2006
In 2006, Ecuador's trade balance saw a surplus, which increased significantly in the following years.
2006: Rafael Correa's election
In 2006, Rafael Correa was elected president of Ecuador, marking the beginning of his tenure and subsequent reforms.
January 2007: Rafael Correa's inauguration
In January 2007, Rafael Correa was inaugurated as president of Ecuador, with several left-wing Latin American leaders in attendance.
April 2007: Ecuador Pays Off IMF Debt
In April 2007, Ecuador paid off its debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking a significant financial milestone for the country.
December 2007: Unemployment Rates in December 2007
In December 2007, Ecuador's monthly unemployment rate was between 6% and 8%, reflecting economic challenges.
2007: Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly elected
In 2007, Ecuador elected the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the current constitution.
2007: Trade Balance in 2007
In 2007, Ecuador's trade balance reached only $5.7 million, a much smaller figure compared to later years.
2007: Rafael Correa's presidency
Rafael Correa served as president from 2007 to 2017, followed by his former Vice President Lenín Moreno.
January 2008: Inflation Rate Peak
In January 2008, Ecuador experienced the highest inflation rate of the past year at about 1.14%, as reported by the government.
September 2008: Unemployment Rate in September 2008
In September 2008, the monthly unemployment rate in Ecuador remained between 6% and 8%.
November 2008: Unemployment Rate Drop in November 2008
In November 2008, Ecuador's unemployment rate dropped to 8% after a peak in October.
December 2008: Default on national debt
In December 2008, President Rafael Correa declared Ecuador's national debt illegitimate and announced a default on over $3 billion worth of bonds. This move significantly reduced the price of outstanding bonds.
2008: Return of Nationals
During the 2008 economic crisis, Ecuador saw a rapid and significant rise in the flow of returning nationals as a result of government initiatives.
2008: Rights of Nature Recognized
In 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to recognize legally enforceable rights of nature, reflecting its commitment to protecting its unique ecological heritage.
2008: Universal Social Security Coverage
In 2008, Ecuador introduced universal and compulsory social security coverage.
2008: Sociobosque program begins
In 2008, Ecuador started the Sociobosque program, aimed at preserving 2.3% of the land by providing incentives to landowners to maintain native ecosystems.
2008: Oil Trade Balance in 2008
In 2008, Ecuador's oil trade balance was positive, with revenues of $3.295 million, while the non-oil trade balance was negative at $2.842 million.
2008: LDU Quito's Achievements
In 2008, LDU Quito, one of Ecuador's premier football teams, achieved significant success. They were runners-up in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, underlining their prominence in international football competitions.
2008: Constitution approved by referendum
In 2008, the constitution drafted by the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly was approved by a referendum. It established voting as compulsory for literate persons aged 18–65 and optional for other citizens over the age of 16.
2008: Free Basic Health Care
Since 2008, Ecuador has provided free basic health care, including doctor's visits, basic surgeries, and medications.
2008: Social Spending to Reduce Poverty
Starting in 2008, Ecuador focused on reducing poverty through increased social spending, particularly in education and health, due to the economic downturn in countries where many Ecuadorians emigrated.
January 2009: Central Bank Growth Forecast
In January 2009, the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) projected a growth forecast of 6.88% for 2010.
June 2009: Joining the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas
In June 2009, Ecuador joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas under President Rafael Correa.
2009: Restructuring of Ecuadorian Armed Forces
In 2009, Ecuador's Defense Ministry launched a restructuring of the armed forces, increasing the budget by 25% to $1,691,776,803.
2010: Ethnic Demographics in 2010
As of 2010, the largest ethnic group in Ecuador was the Mestizos, making up about 71% of the population.
2010: Decline in Extreme Poverty
By 2010, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador had significantly declined from its 1999 level. This was partly due to emigration and economic stability from adopting the U.S. dollar.
2010: Unemployment Rate in 2010
In 2010, Ecuador's unemployment rate began a downward trend, reaching 7.6%.
2011: Oil Reserves in 2011
As of 2011, Ecuador's proven oil reserves were estimated at 6.51 billion barrels, emphasizing the country's reliance on oil exports.
2011: Extreme Poverty Rate in 2011
By 2011, the extreme poverty rate in Ecuador had dropped to 17.4% of the total population, a significant improvement from previous years.
2011: Economic Growth and Unemployment in 2011
In 2011, Ecuador's GDP grew at 8%, ranking third highest in Latin America, and the unemployment rate dropped to 6.0%.
August 2012: Trade Balance Surplus in August 2012
In August 2012, Ecuador's trade balance showed a surplus of almost $390 million for the first six months of 2012, a significant increase compared to previous years.
2012: LDS Church Membership in 2012
By the end of 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints estimated its membership in Ecuador to be about 1.4% of the population, or 211,165 members.
2012: Media restrictions and protests
In 2012, Ecuador closed down twenty private TV or radio stations in the first half of the year. Public protests against environmental and other issues were prosecuted under charges of 'terrorism and sabotage,' which could lead to eight-year prison sentences.
2012: GDP and Unemployment in 2012
In 2012, Ecuador's GDP continued to grow, and the unemployment rate decreased to 4.8%, showing economic improvement.
February 2013: Inauguration of New Quito Airport
In February 2013, Quito inaugurated a new airport in Tababela with Canadian assistance, replacing the old city-center airport.
2013: Innovation in Technology Ranking
In 2013, Ecuador was placed in the 96th position for innovation in technology according to a World Economic Forum study.
2014: Education Disparity
In 2014, there was a significant disparity in education levels between rural and urban areas, with rural students completing fewer years of schooling.
2014: Completion of Main Road to New Quito Airport
In late 2014, the main road leading from Quito city center to the new airport was completed, reducing travel time significantly.
2015: Corruption in Healthcare
In 2015, corruption was identified as a significant issue, with overbilling recorded in 20% of public establishments and 80% of private establishments.
2015: Education Report
In a 2015 report, it was stated that in 2014, the mean number of school years completed in rural areas was 7.39 compared to 10.86 in urban areas.
2016: New Public Hospitals
Between 2008 and 2016, Ecuador built new public hospitals to improve healthcare infrastructure.
2016: Economic Progress Continues
By 2016, Ecuador continued to make strides in economic growth, achieving an annual per capita GDP growth rate of 1.5 percent. This was a considerable improvement compared to the prior two decades.
2017: Decrease in media and civil society restrictions
According to Freedom House, restrictions on the media and civil society in Ecuador have decreased since 2017.
2017: Jehovah's Witnesses in 2017
In 2017, Jehovah's Witnesses reported having 92,752 members in Ecuador, according to their own sources.
2017: Election of Lenín Moreno
In 2017, Lenín Moreno was elected president of Ecuador and his government adopted economically liberal policies.
2017: Human mobility law adopted
In 2017, the Ecuadorian parliament adopted a law on human mobility.
August 2018: Ecuador leaves Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas
In August 2018, Ecuador left the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (Alba) under President Lenín Moreno's government, which adopted economically liberal policies.
October 2018: Cutting diplomatic relations with Venezuela
In October 2018, Ecuador cut diplomatic relations with the Maduro administration of Venezuela, a close ally of Correa.
2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index ranking
In 2018, Ecuador had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.66/10, ranking it 35th globally out of 172 countries.
March 2019: Ecuador withdraws from Union of South American Nations
In March 2019, Ecuador withdrew from the Union of South American Nations.
March 2019: Inauguration of Cuenca's Tramway
On 8 March 2019, Cuenca inaugurated its tramway system, the largest public transport system in the city and the first modern tramway in Ecuador.
June 2019: Agreement with the US for military planes in Galapagos
In June 2019, Ecuador agreed to allow US military planes to operate from an airport on the Galapagos Islands, marking a significant improvement in relations with the United States.
October 2019: Protests against austerity measures
In October 2019, a series of protests began against the end of fuel subsidies and austerity measures adopted by President Moreno. The government temporarily relocated to Guayaquil, and on 14 October 2019, it restored fuel subsidies, ending nearly two weeks of protests.
February 2020: President Moreno’s visit to Washington
In February 2020, President Lenín Moreno visited Washington, marking the first meeting between an Ecuadorian and U.S. president in 17 years.
2020: Smallest Jewish Communities
By 2020, the Jewish population in Ecuador had diminished to about 290 people, forming one of the smallest Jewish communities in South America.
2020: Ecuador leaves OPEC again
In 2020, under President Moreno, Ecuador left OPEC to increase crude oil exportation and gain more revenue.
October 2021: State of emergency declared to combat crime and violence
In October 2021, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency to address crime and drug-related violence, including clashes in state prisons. He proposed constitutional changes to strengthen the government's response to crime.
2021: Population Estimate for 2021
In 2021, Ecuador's population was estimated to be 17,797,737, with the largest ethnic group being Mestizos.
2021: Force Majeure Declared on Oil Exports
In late 2021, Ecuador declared a Force majeure on oil exports due to erosion near key pipelines in the Amazon, resulting in significant economic losses.
October 2022: UN concerns about detention centers
In October 2022, the United Nations expressed concerns about the dire conditions in Ecuadorian detention centers and prisons, as well as the human rights of those deprived of liberty.
2022: Supreme court decision on industrial projects
In 2022, the supreme court of Ecuador ruled that no project should generate excessive sacrifices to the collective rights of communities and nature, and mandated that the government respect Indigenous peoples' opinions on industrial projects on their land.
2022: Oil Production Returns to Normal
In early 2022, Ecuador's oil production returned to its normal level of 435,000 barrels per day after a Force majeure in late 2021.
February 2023: Referendum rejects constitutional changes
In February 2023, a referendum saw voters overwhelmingly reject President Lasso's proposed constitutional changes aimed at combating crime, weakening his political standing.
2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2023, Ecuador was ranked 104th in the Global Innovation Index, reflecting its position in global technological innovation.
January 2024: Noboa declares internal armed conflict
In January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared an 'internal armed conflict' against organized crime following the escape of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, the leader of the Los Choneros cartel, and an armed attack at a public television channel.
23 November 2023: Daniel Noboa sworn in as president
On 23 November 2023, Daniel Noboa was sworn in as the president of Ecuador.
24 May 2021: Guillermo Lasso sworn in as president
On 24 May 2021, Guillermo Lasso was sworn in as Ecuador's president, marking the first time in 14 years that the country had a right-wing leader. Lasso's party, CREO Movement, and its ally, the Social Christian Party (PSC), won 31 out of 137 parliamentary seats.
