Ecuador's PAIS Alliance Holds 7th Convention with Correa at its Head

Ecuador's coastal city of Esmeraldas is hosting the PAIS Alliance's 7th National Convention, which will be chaired by the left-wing coalition movement's founder and former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa.

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The event, which will be held at the Hosteria La Pradera, comes amid division within the movement. Correa has referred to his successor, current Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno, as a “wolf in sheep's clothing” and “traitor” to the principles of the Citizens' Revolution.

Those backing Correa withdrew support for Lenin who was ousted as president of PAIS Alliance. The party's national directorate appointed Ricardo Patiño, the former second vice-president, as the new president, and Gabriela Rivadeneira, former executive secretary, as the new second vice-president.

Moreno, subsequently, requested precautionary measures to halt Patiño and Rivadeneira's new appointments. The appeal is being reviewed by the National Electoral Council.

Another point of contention which has drawn the split within the party is a popular referendum Moreno announced for Feb. 4, which could see — among a host of other political issues — the end of presidential re-elections.

"We want positive conclusions to be drawn from PAIS Alliance and for Ecuador because we have had great achievements," said Armando Quijije, who was waiting to see the former president. Also present was Yadira Catuto. She said, “Here we are, the ones who believe in this process and we want better days for our country.”