Coup parade

Ecuador | Middle-class protesters broaden the base of Ecuador's discontent | Priya Abraham

Ecuadorian presidents are learning to tread softly or risk ouster. Lucio Gutierrez became the latest casualty two weeks ago, the third president kicked out since 1997. With seven presidents altogether in the last nine years, Ecuadorians are returning to long-held skepticism about their oft-corrupt government.

"The mood now returns to what it was before—very low confidence in public institutions," said Ralph Kurtenbach, a journalist with HCJB Radio in Ecuador. "I know this from talking with taxi drivers who say of the politicians, 'Each one is a bigger thief than the last one.'"

Discontent with Mr. Gutierrez went up last November when he seized too much power. He survived an impeachment attempt with the help of a previously exiled president, Abdala Bucaram. In return, Mr. Gutierrez helped Mr. Bucaram—also known as El Loco, or "the Madman"—escape corruption charges by packing the Supreme Court with his own justices.