Adding to the string of leftist victories in South America, a Leftist economist, an ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, with radical views such as cutting off relations with international lenders, won the Presidency of poor and politically unstable Ecuador.

Rafael Correa is more radical than even Chavez and had in previous times called for limits on debt payments. He, along with other radical leadership in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela, is yet another leader in South America is seriously worrying strategists in Washington. Correa's opponent, a banana tycoon complained that the elections were rigged.

Correa is not a politician but promised a "citizen's revolution" targeting discredited politicians which seem to have appealed to the poor. He blamed the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for Ecuador's woes and called US President George Bush "dimwitted." The 43 year old economist has a doctorate degree from the University of Illinois.