Skip to content Skip to footer

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Empire and the Environment

Abby Martin sits down with the President of Ecuador to talk about different issues impacting the country and region.

Also see: Bringing Corporations to Justice With Ecuador’s UN Representative

After touring Chevron’s oil pollution in the Ecuadorean Amazon, Abby Martin sits down for an exclusive interview with Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, about the legal battle against the corporation and push to decolonize the country from Western powers.

They discuss Ecuador’s new constitution that grants legal rights to nature for the first time in history, the country’s proposed ban against individuals using tax havens holding public office, and his administration’s dismantling of neoliberalism, stressing that the world order must shift, so that people come before capital.

Despite its diplomatic relationship with the United States, Correa comments on how Ecuador remains the subject of ongoing regime change efforts and democratic subversion on behalf of the US government through NGOs like USAID. However, Correa is determined that being in the crosshairs of US Empire will only embolden their fight for independence.

When asked about whether Trump or Clinton would be better for the future of Latin America, Correa’s response is surprising. He says Trump’s crudeness would be better to “revitalize the left” in Latin America, but that Hillary would be better for the sake of people in the US.

We have 9 days to raise $50,000 — we’re counting on your support!

For those who care about justice, liberation and even the very survival of our species, we must remember our power to take action.

We won’t pretend it’s the only thing you can or should do, but one small step is to pitch in to support Truthout — as one of the last remaining truly independent, nonprofit, reader-funded news platforms, your gift will help keep the facts flowing freely.