Rodrigo Borjaformer President of Ecuador (1988-1992), died this Thursday at the age of 90, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s political history. The current president, Daniel NoboaHe expressed that the former head of state “will forever be remembered” by the country, emphasizing: “Today this country honors his legacy“.
Although the causes of his death were not disclosed, Borja stayed away from public life for several years, devoting himself primarily to writing the “Political Encyclopedia,” an academic reference work on key concepts and theories in political science.
Founder and historic leader of the Democratic LeftBorja was a leader of the country’s social democracy and a recognized advocate of Latin American integration and national sovereignty. The politician ruled Ecuador in the midst of a complex economic and social scenario, but his administration was characterized by respect for democracy, freedom of expression and political pluralism.
The Ecuadorian Language Academy, of which Borja was a full member, expressed regret at the departure of the former president, recognized in both the political and intellectual spheres of the country.
Former President Guillermo Lasso (2021-2023) also regretted the news on the social network X: “He was a man of integrity, democrat, coherence and statesman who appreciated the public service and institutions of Ecuador.”
Born on June 19, 1935 in Quito, founder of the Democratic Left (ID) and symbolic figure of social democracy in Latin America, he was appointed in 2007 the first Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), organization promoting regional integration.
However, he left office in 2008 after submitting an irrevocable resignation because he disagreed with the limited institutionalization of the organization. Borja believed that Unasur should have a solid structure and wide-ranging powers, while other leaders believed that it should be retained as a political coordination mechanism.
Borja graduated from the American College of the capital and the Central University of Ecuador, where he received training in political science and law. He taught as a professor of political law for two decades, between 1963 and 1983.
His political career includes legislative positions from a young age: He was elected deputy in 1962, 1970 and 1979. Identified with the center-left movement since his student days, in 1966 he joined the special commission of jurists tasked with drafting a draft constitution, which was adopted a year later.
The inclusive vision and his contribution to democratic institutions shaped Borja’s legacy, both in Ecuador and in the regional context of Latin America.
In 1970 he founded the Democratic Left (ID), a party with which he established himself as a central figure in Ecuadorian national politics and for which he was a presidential candidate five times. In his first bid, he failed to advance to the second round, where Jaime Roldós triumphed. In 1984 he led the first round of elections, but was narrowly defeated in the second round by the Christian socialist León Febres Cordero.
Finally, In 1988, Borja won the presidency of Ecuador after defeating center-left populist Abdalá Bucaram in the second round.. He was the first Social Democrat to take office and succeeded Febres Cordero. During his term, which began on August 10, 1988, he faced severe economic challenges such as record inflation and high external debt, but his management was credited for defending institutions and promoting political dialogue.
After completing his term in 1992, Borja attempted to return to the presidency in the 1998 elections, where he came third behind Jamil Mahuad and Álvaro Noboa, father of current President Daniel Noboa. In 2002 he ran unsuccessfully again, leaving the presidency to Lucio Gutiérrez.
(With information from EFE)
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