Internal rifts and leadership struggles threaten the future of Ecuador’s once-dominant Citizens’ Revolution party.

The once-mighty Citizens’ Revolution (RC), the political force that dominated Ecuador for a decade under Rafael Correa, is now facing a deep internal crisis, one that threatens to unravel the movement from within. What was once a unified front driven by Correa’s leadership has turned into a fragmented organization struggling with infighting, defections, and a growing disillusionment with the very man who once held it all together.

The RC is at a crossroads. On one hand, there are those who cling to Correa’s vision and leadership, but on the other, a new generation of leaders is emerging, hoping to breathe fresh life into a movement that many see as increasingly outdated. This tension is tearing at the fabric of the party, and the former president is now more a point of contention than a unifying figure.

Key Defections and Growing Discontent

The crisis reached its peak after the recent election defeat of Luisa González, Correa’s chosen candidate for president. Despite her loss to Daniel Noboa, González continued to claim that the election was rigged, promoting a theory that ballots had been manipulated. This theory has been widely dismissed by many within the RC, including key figures such as Paola Pabón, Marcela Aguiñaga, and Leonardo Orlando, who publicly acknowledged Noboa’s victory. Their rejection of González’s claims is a reflection of a deeper rift within the RC, as more members distance themselves from Correa’s divisive tactics.

This fracture is not limited to the national leadership. Several high-profile defections have occurred in recent months. Mónica Salazar, a legislator from Guayas, was one of the most vocal critics of Correa’s leadership. She spoke openly about the hostile treatment she received from the RC’s national leadership and her mistreatment by González herself. Salazar’s decision to leave the party followed a bitter dispute with Correa, who reportedly told her that he would no longer speak to her.

Correa’s Authoritarian Leadership Under Fire

Marcela Aguiñaga, a key figure in the RC who helped revive the party after it faltered, also signaled her departure. Aguiñaga has been vocal in her disagreement with Correa’s stance on electoral fraud and has expressed frustration with the RC’s internal dynamics. In May, she lamented the dissolution of the organization, blaming egos and impositions for its collapse. Her departure marks the end of an era for the RC, as Aguiñaga was seen as a leader who could bridge the gap between Correa’s loyalists and those seeking change.

Another high-profile case is that of Sergio Peña, a former candidate for the Assembly who was expelled from the RC after voting in favor of a pro-government bill. Peña, who had been one of Correa’s candidates, described the RC as “run like a ranch with a foreman,” highlighting the authoritarian management style that has alienated many within the party. Peña’s expulsion was a reminder of the RC’s top-down decision-making structure, which has stifled internal debate and fueled growing discontent.

The Struggle for Renewal

The roots of this discontent go back several years. After Lenin Moreno, Correa’s successor, initiated a series of criminal investigations into members of the former president’s inner circle, the RC began to unravel. Since then, the party has struggled to maintain unity, with many members becoming increasingly frustrated with Correa’s authoritarian style and his tendency to dictate every aspect of the party’s direction.

The disillusionment within the RC is not just about individual leaders; it is about the party’s inability to evolve. Many members feel that Correa’s focus on personalism and the glorification of his “winning decade” has led to a stagnation of ideas and a failure to address the pressing issues of today. As a result, the RC has become increasingly out of touch with the political realities of Ecuador, and it is struggling to appeal to a new generation of voters.

Despite this, the RC still has a committed base of support, especially among those who continue to believe in Correa’s vision. However, these loyalists are increasingly isolated within a movement that is losing its relevance in the current political landscape. This is particularly evident in the party’s inability to put forward a viable alternative to the Noboa administration, which represents a clear break from the old guard of Ecuadorian politics.

A Movement at the Crossroads

The RC’s crisis is also a reflection of the broader challenges facing Ecuador’s political system. The rise of new political forces, like Noboa’s ADN party, signals a shift away from the traditional political elites that have dominated the country for decades. The RC, with its outdated rhetoric and fractured leadership, is struggling to keep up with this changing political reality.

As the RC faces its own identity crisis, the question remains whether it can reinvent itself or if its decline is inevitable. For now, the party is caught between the past and the future, with no clear path forward. What was once a powerful force in Ecuadorian politics is now teetering on the edge of irrelevance, and only time will tell if it can recover from the political slump brought on by its leader’s divisive influence.

The future of the Citizens’ Revolution will depend on whether it can break free from the grip of Correa’s legacy and find new leadership that can navigate the challenges of modern Ecuadorian politics. If it fails, the party that once promised to reshape Ecuador may soon become a footnote in the country’s political history.