Table 5.6

Civil Demonstrations that Played a Significant Role in the Deposing of a President
Country
President
Date of deposition
 Crisis factors
Argentina
De la Rúa
December 21, 2001
  • Widespread dissatisfaction with socioeconomic performance and with the political class.
  • Collapse of the economy
  • Cases of corruption
    		•
    Bolivia
    Sánchez de Lozada
    October 17, 2003
  • Widespread discontent due to socioeconomic situation
  • Demands of indigenous peoples
  • Exportation of natural gas
    		•
    Bolivia
    Mesa
    June 6, 2005
  • Lack of sufficient social support and political backing
  • Demands for nationalization of natural resources and a greater State role in the economy; better representation of indigenous communities; regional autonomy
    		•
    Brazil
    Collor de Melo
    December 29, 1992
  • Economic crisis, including hyperinflation
  • Human rights violations
  • Corruption, personal scandals
    		•
    Ecuador
    Bucaram
    February 6, 1997
  • Corruption, patronage, nepotism
  • Institutional disorder
  • Attempt to privatize major State enterprises
  • Elimination of public services subsidies
    		•
    Ecuador
    Mahuad
    January 21, 2000
  • Economic crisis
  • Loss of confidence in the banking system (freezing of savings)
  • Dollarization of economy
    		•
    Ecuador
    Gutiérrez
    April 20, 2005
  • Partisan struggle for control over Supreme Court and unconstitutional dismissal of judges
  • Struggle for governability in the context of a highly fragmented and regionalized party and political system
  • Deep disenchantment with congress and political system
  • Loss of support of armed forces
    		•
    Guatemala
    Serrano Elías
    June 1, 1993
  • The 'Serranazo' (attempted self-coup by Serrano)
  • Suspension of the constitution
  • Dissolution of congress, Supreme Court, and Constitutional Court
    		•
    Paraguay
    Cubas
    March 23, 1999
  • Amnesty of General Oviedo
  • Congress, the attorney general's office, and the Supreme Court declare pardon unconstitutional
  • Assassination of Vice President Argaña
    		•
    Peru
    Fujimori
    November 19, 2000
  • Authoritarian practices/concentration of power
  • Electoral fraud
  • Large-scale political corruption
    • Venezuela
    Pérez Rodríguez
    May 20, 1993
  • The ‘Caracazo’ uprising: popular revolts violently repressed
  • Broad disenchantment with traditional political parties and the political system
  • Economic crisis and austerity measures
  • Social programs abandoned
  • Two attempted coups d'état: February 3, 1992, and November 27, 1992
  • Allegations of corruption
    		•

    Source: Authors' compilation.