President Denounces Coup Attempts

Wednesday 6th January 2009, by Periodico 26

QUITO.— Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa revealed on Sunday that his administration has discovered a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the government and prepare the floor for a coup d’état, the local media reported.

One of the men accused by Correa, assembly member and former army captain Gilmar Gutierrez—who is also the brother former president Lucio Gutierrez, and a leader of the Sociedad Patriotica Party—challenged Correa to present evidence of the conspiracy, reported PL news agency.

In a public broadcast, Correa assured that they have "intelligence reports that support with data and figures that conspirators have being receiving help not just from the US government, but from US right wing organizations."

Correa said that some members of the army linked to opposition groups might be involved in the conspiracy, and noted that the plot could take place during the demonstrations scheduled for January.

"This is the new method for destabilizing progressive governments that don’t want to follow orders from a foreign master," said Correa, and used as an example the e-mails which have been circulating with rumors in the army barracks.

ORIGINAL SOURCE:
http://www.periodico26.cu/english/news_world/jan2010/correa010410.html