El juicio político a presidente y vicepresidente en el Ecuador: 2008-actualidad

Abstract

In modern constitutions around the world, impeachment is a tool to oversee the actions of executive branch officials. Ecuador is not the exception. Since 1979, when democracy was restored, different constitutions over the years have established this institution, modifying its content, but always serving the same purpose: overseeing. This paper briefly analyses how impeachment has been established in different constitutions since 1979, especially that of 2008, and how it has been applied to state ministers throughout the country’s recent history. However, the main focus is on two emblematic cases of impeachment of a president and vice president that occurred after the return to democracy: the cases of Jorge Glas Espinel an Guillermo Lasso Mendoza. Their backgrounds and trials were analyzed, as well as how those have been used so that each of these officials can be liable for corruption activities that occurred during their administrations. It can be concluded that at least in cases of impeachment of the president or vice president of the republic, impeachment proceedings have been requested in order to make those officials liable for illegal activities that could have been happened during their administrations.