ECUADOR,THE CARIBBEAN: Remote Control

ECUADOR

Principal opposition candidate in Ecuador’s June election will be tallish, baldish Dr. Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra, leader of the newly organized coalition Alianza Democratica (Democratic Alliance). A none-too-successful President (1934-35), he has wide support among the lower classes, students, others who do not like President Carlos A. Arroyo del Rio.

Velasco Ibarra has one disadvantage: he is not in Ecuador. The President has forbidden him to re-enter the country, from which he was exiled in 1940. Undiscouraged, Velasco Ibarra recently set up headquarters at Pasto across the Colombian border. From that point he conducts a fly-by-night campaign by means of furtive messengers. His position with the voters is apparently strong; but fearing electoral fraud, he is said to be hoping for Army support, a near-necessity for a would-be President of Ecuador.