Watch the coup d'etat unfolding in
Ecuador live, in Spanish, on TELESUR

Update Six: A few minutes ago, President Correa spoke live on radio from the hospital where the right wing has him trapped. He stated that he will not, under any circumstances, negotiate with the criminals who are attempting to overthrow the government. Following his radio broadcast, the right wing broke down the doors of ECUATV (public tv) and shut it down but thus far are not attempting to use the station to address the pubic. Earlier today on public television (VTV), President Chávez addressed Venezuelans about the coup in Ecuador. Among other things, he stated that he does not understand what the Ecuadoran military has not intervened. But that was before ECUATV reported that Correa ordered the military NOT to intervene in order to prevent bloodshed.

- LMB 7:15 PM EST

Update Five: The Ecuadoran Ambassador to Venezuela confirmed that President Correa is in a good state of health, even as he is being held hostage in a hospital in North Quito by rebel police. Colombia & Peru have sealed their borders to Ecuador in support of Ecuadoran govt and Pres. Correa, who remains sequestered by police forces who are executing the coup. (TeleSur)

- LMB 5:15 PM

Update Four: Eva Golinger reports that the police who are involved in the coup are "violently repressing" the thousands of Ecuadoran people who have come out in support of their president. President Correa continues to be trapped, apparently in the hospital where he was taken after the police attacked him earlier today (read about the attack below). At 4:15 p.m. a military spokesman appeared on TeleSur stating that the Ecuadoran military supports the government and continues to recognize President Correa as their Commander in Chief. Why the military has not yet intervened and put down the rebel police is not clear. At this moment the people who went earlier to the Presidential Palace to rise up in support of their president - have now arrived at the hospital where the rebel police have Correa sequestered.

This is obviously a dangerous situation with the unarmed people confronting the police. The obvious question is this: If the Ecuadoran people can march to the hospital to attempt a rescue of their president, why is the Ecuadoran Military NOT there to put down this coup, take President Correa out of this dangerous situation and restore order?

Meanwhile, according to Golinger, governments throughout Venezuela have condemned the coup in Ecuador but the U.S. State Department has only said that it is "monitoring the situation in Ecuador." This mirrors the U.S. involvement and response to the kidnapping of President Zelaya and overthrow of the Honduran governement in June, 2009 and the attempted coup against President Chávez in April, 2002.

- LMB 4:30 PM EST

Update Three

The People Arrive at the Hospital to Protect Their President.

TeleSur reports that the Ecuadoran government has declared a state of emergency for 5 days and the military is supporting the government. Cesár Rodríguez, Vice President of the National Assembly reports that President Correa is in the hospital and that the rebel police are attempting to gain access to him, presumably to assassinate him. He was injured when he was attacked by the police as he attempted to speak with them. TeleSur broadcast live video just after the attack on his car, showing the president wearing a gas mask as he escaped the police mob. He was on crutches (due to surgery on his leg a few days ago). The nature and extent of his injuries from today's attack are unknown at this time.

Rebel Police Attack President Correa and
the People Rally to Support the Government
September 30, 2010

Update Two

Police Golpistas Attack President Correa's Car

1:30 PM TeleSur is reporting that when President Correa went to the largest police barracks in the north of Quito to speak with the golpistas, the police launched tear gas at his vehicle. Correa was taken to the hospital, apparently with injuries. He is currently in the hospital and some police are attempting to enter the hospital, reportedly through the roof of the hospital to execute the president. President Correa just issued a message in a radio broadcast from the hospital bidding farewell to the Ecuadoran people.

- LMB 1:30 pm Thursday.

This morning a blogger posted the following message on the internet:

USA makes coup in Ecuador? The USA are promoting a coup in Ecuador. We in Latin America are tired of USA imperialism!!!!!!!! First it was Honduras now Ecuador??? (excerpt deleted) Until when will theUSA abuse the people of the World???? Here in Venezuela we request that ALL Latin American nations break ALL diplomatic and commercial ties with the USA!!! Here in Venezuela we request that Russia breaks all diplomatic and commericial ties with the USA!!! USA imperialism has got to stop already!!!!!

Here in Venezuela we are watching this counter-revolutionary action unfold on TeleSur. The corporate media is reporting that both, the military has seized the main airport in Quito and that the police have fired tear gass, burned tires "after taking over bases in Quito, Guayaquil and other cities." They also claim that an Associated Press photographer "witnessed soldiers participating in the action that shut down the main terminal at Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport."

On the other hand, TeleSur reports that the police have indeed launched a possible coup attempt but that the response by the military is yet unknown. At this moment TeleSur is showing footage of an angry President Correa speaking to a group of police protestors with the protestors shouting back at him.

Ostensibly, they are protesting a law passed by Congress on Wednesday that would end the practice of giving members of Ecuador's military and police medals and bonuses with each promotion. The law would also require police and military to wait for 7 years, rather than 5 for subsequent promotions. However, TeleSur is reporting that the "protests" are in fact a coup attempt. TeleSur is also broadcasting live video, showing large masses of the civilian population who arriving at Palacio Carondelet (Presidential Palace) and Plaza de Centro in Quito, waving flags in counter-protest against the police ... against the coup.

It is much to early to document any involvement in this coup attempt by Washington as claimed by the blogger quoted above. However, given the recent history of U.S.-instigated coups against revolutionary governments in Venezuela and Honduras and their century of imperialist attacks on Latin American countries, it's a safe bet that they are behind what is happening today in Ecuador.

As of noon today, the response by the military to these counter-revolutionaries is unknown and will be critical to the outcome. The Ecuadoran military is under civilian control. Axis of Logic will be following these developments closely, updating this report throughout the day.

You can also follow these developments in real time at the TeleSur link located in the left column of the front page of Axis of Logic.

- Les Blough in Venezuela