This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6262555.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ecuador swears in new president Ecuador swears in new president
(about 4 hours later)
Ecuador has sworn in its newly-elected president, Rafael Correa, who has promised a "citizens' revolution".Ecuador has sworn in its newly-elected president, Rafael Correa, who has promised a "citizens' revolution".
The left-wing economist's proposals include debt restructuring and less US involvement in Ecuadorean affairs.The left-wing economist's proposals include debt restructuring and less US involvement in Ecuadorean affairs.
Mr Correa, 43, faces a hostile Congress and must also please an electorate which has ousted the last three elected leaders before the end of their terms. Mr Correa faces a hostile Congress and must also please an electorate which has ousted the last three elected leaders before the end of their terms.
Those at his inauguration included most regional leaders, Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Spain's crown prince.Those at his inauguration included most regional leaders, Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Spain's crown prince.
Fight ahead Mr Correa, who is 43, told those gathered at his swearing in ceremony that the established political institutions had failed his country.
Powerful enemies
Putting on the red, yellow and blue presidential sash, Mr Correa complained that Ecuador has ''a perverse system that has destroyed our democracy, our economy and our society".
To thunderous applause, he spoke of a citizens' revolution, a revolution that had only just begun and that would bring about profound change.
The country has seen much political turmoil in recent years with eight presidents in the last decade. Only three presidents have succeeded in serving full terms since 1979.
The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler says Ecuador's new president has some influential friends, but also some powerful enemies in a divided country.
He says the scene is set for a challenging first few months of Mr Correa's presidency.
Constitutional rewrite
On Sunday, the country's large indigenous community accepted Mr Correa as their leader at a ceremony in the Andes mountains.On Sunday, the country's large indigenous community accepted Mr Correa as their leader at a ceremony in the Andes mountains.
He was accompanied by his key regional allies: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Bolivian counterpart, Evo Morales. He was accompanied by his key regional allies: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Bolivian counterpart, Eva Morales.
"I will never fail you," Mr Correa told the crowd in the town of Zumbahua."I will never fail you," Mr Correa told the crowd in the town of Zumbahua.
"Let us make a true democratic revolution, constitutional but still a revolution... radical, profound and quick changes to the current model of so much exploitation, of so much injustice," he said.
Mr Correa has said he will call a referendum on a special assembly to rewrite the constitution so that the powers of the traditional parties are curbed.Mr Correa has said he will call a referendum on a special assembly to rewrite the constitution so that the powers of the traditional parties are curbed.
Congress - which is dominated by these parties and which has been described as a "sewer of corruption" by the new president - has vowed to fight these attempts.
Turmoil
Mr Correa has also rejected a free trade agreement with Washington and has said he will not renew a treaty which allows the US to use an air base on the Pacific coast.Mr Correa has also rejected a free trade agreement with Washington and has said he will not renew a treaty which allows the US to use an air base on the Pacific coast.
He is expected to forge closer ties with governments which are also critical of the White House, such as Venezuela and Iran.
Before arriving in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, Mr Ahmadinejad said both countries had common views and would talk about expanding ties.
With an economy highly dependent on oil and banana exports, Ecuador has high rates of unemployment and poverty. More than 60% of its 13 million inhabitants live below the poverty line.
The country has seen much political turmoil in recent years with eight presidents in the last decade. Only three presidents have succeeded in serving full terms since 1979.