Like almost all residents of this beloved country, I am concerned about the unstable and dangerous political situation in which we find ourselves. Let me put it this way. We must defend democracy, which is currently the best political system we know and apply. It must be improved, but we cannot deny the progress it has brought in the evolution of mankind and its way of governing. Democracies that share common principles take different forms depending on cultures and their histories. Some cities vote on almost anything that has to do with their present or future. They not only elect the authorities, but hold referendums on issues of public interest: education, basic services, water… Others devote themselves to voting for their own and then they don’t care anymore because the government system works efficiently.

Achieving democracy requires a citizenry that is ready to choose and accept the consequences of choices. There will always be a majority and a minority no matter how small the differences. In our country, voting determined the mayors. Whoever is elected does not rule for his party or friends, he rules for all, he is the authority of all and all owe him respect.

tribalism and democracy

The people we choose are neither supermen nor superwomen, they have qualities and flaws, they have strengths and weaknesses, and above all they must have a team to work with: it is not possible to hold positions with so much responsibility alone. When we choose them, they are not interchangeable, we establish a pact. We choose them for a certain period. Democracy, like all human relationships, requires care, attention and a lot to endure in order to be perfected. It is useless to change your representatives every moment, because different processes require time.

Ecuador is experiencing a deep political crisis, with multiple edges and real dangers of conflict among Ecuadorians.

Democracy requires care (…). It’s pointless to change representatives every time…

The most serious of all is the drug trade and its tentacles that turn the country into a narco-state. The crisis is affected by the lack of credibility in all its systems: executive, legislative, judicial, Council for Citizen Participation. The crisis of institutions is also first of all a crisis of those who hold these functions, and above all of the president.

The conflict between the institutions for the rotation of police officers in the prosecutor’s office brings the independence of functions back into discussion

We cannot change the person responsible, unless the actual involvement of the CEO in the reported crimes is irrefutably proven, when the same suspicion and sometimes evidence erodes the authority of other government functions.

There is an urgent demand for an explicit recognition of the mistakes and errors made, a total change of the ruling group, but also of those who are suspected of corruption. The president should listen to the deafening clamor for tough, quick and effective decisions.

And this requires accompaniment and vigilance on the part of citizens, so that fear and revenge do not decide our joint actions and that we act seeking the good of all.

Setting short deadlines for measures that are expected to be far-reaching, and if this is not done, then take democratic measures to change the government. (OR)