Richelieu Levoyer
Encyclopedia
Levoyer Artieda, Richelieu. Military
and politician
of the Republic of Ecuador (Quito
, 1930). Son of the Ecuadorian painter Jorge Levoyer and educator Maria Delia Artieda.
He is known in Ecuador
because of his three intercessions in public affairs: 1) As the Southern Front Commander, directed 25,000 men to the border line with Peru
during the crisis of war between the two Andean countries in 1981. See: Paquisha War
; 2) As Government Minister, deployed a systematic plan for the destruction of prisons where human rights
were being violated, and 3) Proposed and promoted the "Return to the Constitution Plan" with which the dictatorship (1976–1979) ended, and was handed over power to an elected president by universal vote. At the end of this democratic process, was elected the lawyer Jaime Roldos Aguilera
.
In the first two in particular, he received popular and spontaneous support which he channelled and gave a concrete shape. In the first case, creating a Defence armed civilians Front (with the guidance of the professionals of weapons) and the second with a Civic Front of people from nearby neighbourhoods to the "Reten Sur" prisons of Quito
and of Fumisa (small town in the Province of Los Ríos), for with them to proceed to the destruction of these prisons.
Dealing with the position of Levoyer on the issue of the bordering problem with Peru, César Alarcón says:
"He displayed an intense work in defense of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ecuador in the Amazon compared with the surrender of whom on October 26 of 1998 subjected our country to the Peruvian claims imposed by force through the null Rio de Janeiro Protocol of January 29 of 1942."
He attended all military training centres in Ecuador, according to the standard of his profession. He also studied abroad. Studied, and then became Professor and finally Director of the centres of Ecuadorian military studies. So, he studied at the "Eloy Alfaro" Military School; was sent to specialized courses in the School of the Americas, Panama; attended the Staff Study Centre of the Brazilian Army; was at the Inter-American Defence College, United States; became Director of the School for Improvement of the Ecuadorian Army; attended the War Academy (requirement for promotion to High Command
), of which he later became Director. Aware that the country needed high level scholars intervened in the creating of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, a centre that concentrated the best brains (military and civilian) of Ecuador to study and schedule the destiny of his country. So, finally rose to the rank of General
.
This long road that clung to the rule in his profession seems to be the cause for that more than one occasion verbal expression he has used: "If you want to make a major change in the country, power must be obtained, but not getting it for itself −what would be simple egotism and ambition−, but to change things, and once installed there, and with the support of a unpolluted reputation earned day by day, then, and only then, take on any real and profound change that will be possible with the support of public consensus, with which we will have an undoubted success and beneficial to the poorest of our country."
He served as Sub-secretary of Industries (task on which he put emphasis on developing small industry). While still a Colonel
was appointed Minister of Government, the highest political office in the nation. There, he participated in the two most urgent issues requiring a response: the need to enter to a democratic system, through universal voting; and the urgency of eliminating the two most famous prisons in which was known that there were violations on human rights.
As Minister of Government (1976), organized a "Political Dialogue" by which the popular organizations and the new political tendencies acquired first role (which earned him the adversity of the conservative sectors of Ecuadorian politics.) The fact was so important that, among citizens circulated the idea (originally developed in the print media of those days) that for the first time entered the Carondelet Palace (seat of the Presidency), the indigenous (who later organized at CONAIE
), not to collect cigarette butts from the politicians of the ruling classes, but to decide on the future of the nation.
As a result of the "Political Dialogue", Minister Levoyer announced the "State Law Restructuring Plan" which would be executed by steps systematically organized. First, Ecuadorian people should be allowed to choose a Constitution: either the one from 1945 renovated, or a new one, which was finally passed (1978). Besides, it had been promulgated an Electoral Law and other on Political Parties.
But the pressures of the Ecuadorian right wing managed that dictators would remove Levoyer from office who, on the other hand, could not simply be eliminated from the ranks of the military, so they opted for expatriation, by designating him to the Ecuadorian embassy at the United States. However, the Plan was announced and the citizens had already taken for themselves the need to move in a new direction in the country's history that would include the traditionally excluded.
He was elected Member of the National Congress (1984–1988). Among other things (for example, and by two laws, favoured the heroes and ex-fighter of the wars of 1941 and 1981) from his post as Deputy elected by popular vote, became the driving force behind the Ecuadorian presence in Antarctica, which today has institutional form. See: INAE., and the Ecuadorian Antarctic Program.
He was president of OMIDELAC, Military Organization for Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. This organization played an important role in international pressures to promote democratic systems in Latin America. Such was the case with the dictatorship
of General Augusto Pinochet
of Chile to return to a universal voting system. Omidelac was also invited as an observer of various electoral processes in several countries of Latin America. In fact, played an important role in the democratization process in the subcontinent. To this Organization belonged President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez
.
Currently a member of Fundación "Eloy Alfaro" de Estudios Geopolíticos y Estratégicos FEGES.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
of the Republic of Ecuador (Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, 1930). Son of the Ecuadorian painter Jorge Levoyer and educator Maria Delia Artieda.
He is known in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
because of his three intercessions in public affairs: 1) As the Southern Front Commander, directed 25,000 men to the border line with Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
during the crisis of war between the two Andean countries in 1981. See: Paquisha War
Paquisha War
The Paquisha War was a brief military clash that took place between January and February 1981 between Ecuador and Peru over the control of three watchposts. While Peru felt that the matter was already decided in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War of 1941, Ecuador did not agree with the Rio de Janeiro...
; 2) As Government Minister, deployed a systematic plan for the destruction of prisons where human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
were being violated, and 3) Proposed and promoted the "Return to the Constitution Plan" with which the dictatorship (1976–1979) ended, and was handed over power to an elected president by universal vote. At the end of this democratic process, was elected the lawyer Jaime Roldos Aguilera
Jaime Roldós Aguilera
Jaime Roldós Aguilera was President of Ecuador from 10 August 1979 to 24 May 1981. In his short tenure, he became known for his firm stance on human rights. His death in a plane crash gave rise to speculation of involvement by the United States government in the accident.-Early life and...
.
In the first two in particular, he received popular and spontaneous support which he channelled and gave a concrete shape. In the first case, creating a Defence armed civilians Front (with the guidance of the professionals of weapons) and the second with a Civic Front of people from nearby neighbourhoods to the "Reten Sur" prisons of Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
and of Fumisa (small town in the Province of Los Ríos), for with them to proceed to the destruction of these prisons.
Dealing with the position of Levoyer on the issue of the bordering problem with Peru, César Alarcón says:
"He displayed an intense work in defense of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ecuador in the Amazon compared with the surrender of whom on October 26 of 1998 subjected our country to the Peruvian claims imposed by force through the null Rio de Janeiro Protocol of January 29 of 1942."
He attended all military training centres in Ecuador, according to the standard of his profession. He also studied abroad. Studied, and then became Professor and finally Director of the centres of Ecuadorian military studies. So, he studied at the "Eloy Alfaro" Military School; was sent to specialized courses in the School of the Americas, Panama; attended the Staff Study Centre of the Brazilian Army; was at the Inter-American Defence College, United States; became Director of the School for Improvement of the Ecuadorian Army; attended the War Academy (requirement for promotion to High Command
High command
The phrase High command may refer to:* Command * Chain of command* Commander-in-Chief* Defence minister* Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the WWII command structure popularly known as "German High Command"Compare:* Staff...
), of which he later became Director. Aware that the country needed high level scholars intervened in the creating of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, a centre that concentrated the best brains (military and civilian) of Ecuador to study and schedule the destiny of his country. So, finally rose to the rank of General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
.
This long road that clung to the rule in his profession seems to be the cause for that more than one occasion verbal expression he has used: "If you want to make a major change in the country, power must be obtained, but not getting it for itself −what would be simple egotism and ambition−, but to change things, and once installed there, and with the support of a unpolluted reputation earned day by day, then, and only then, take on any real and profound change that will be possible with the support of public consensus, with which we will have an undoubted success and beneficial to the poorest of our country."
He served as Sub-secretary of Industries (task on which he put emphasis on developing small industry). While still a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
was appointed Minister of Government, the highest political office in the nation. There, he participated in the two most urgent issues requiring a response: the need to enter to a democratic system, through universal voting; and the urgency of eliminating the two most famous prisons in which was known that there were violations on human rights.
As Minister of Government (1976), organized a "Political Dialogue" by which the popular organizations and the new political tendencies acquired first role (which earned him the adversity of the conservative sectors of Ecuadorian politics.) The fact was so important that, among citizens circulated the idea (originally developed in the print media of those days) that for the first time entered the Carondelet Palace (seat of the Presidency), the indigenous (who later organized at CONAIE
CONAIE
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or more commonly, CONAIE, is Ecuador's largest indigenous organization. Formed in 1986, CONAIE has pursued social change on behalf of the region's significant native population using a wide range tactics including direct action...
), not to collect cigarette butts from the politicians of the ruling classes, but to decide on the future of the nation.
As a result of the "Political Dialogue", Minister Levoyer announced the "State Law Restructuring Plan" which would be executed by steps systematically organized. First, Ecuadorian people should be allowed to choose a Constitution: either the one from 1945 renovated, or a new one, which was finally passed (1978). Besides, it had been promulgated an Electoral Law and other on Political Parties.
But the pressures of the Ecuadorian right wing managed that dictators would remove Levoyer from office who, on the other hand, could not simply be eliminated from the ranks of the military, so they opted for expatriation, by designating him to the Ecuadorian embassy at the United States. However, the Plan was announced and the citizens had already taken for themselves the need to move in a new direction in the country's history that would include the traditionally excluded.
He was elected Member of the National Congress (1984–1988). Among other things (for example, and by two laws, favoured the heroes and ex-fighter of the wars of 1941 and 1981) from his post as Deputy elected by popular vote, became the driving force behind the Ecuadorian presence in Antarctica, which today has institutional form. See: INAE., and the Ecuadorian Antarctic Program.
He was president of OMIDELAC, Military Organization for Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean. This organization played an important role in international pressures to promote democratic systems in Latin America. Such was the case with the dictatorship
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
of General Augusto Pinochet
Augusto Pinochet
Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte, more commonly known as Augusto Pinochet , was a Chilean army general and dictator who assumed power in a coup d'état on 11 September 1973...
of Chile to return to a universal voting system. Omidelac was also invited as an observer of various electoral processes in several countries of Latin America. In fact, played an important role in the democratization process in the subcontinent. To this Organization belonged President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
.
Currently a member of Fundación "Eloy Alfaro" de Estudios Geopolíticos y Estratégicos FEGES.