ABSTRACT
Roldos and Hurtado came into office with the slogan "La Fuerza de Cambio" (The Force of Change) and with what appeared to be relatively favorable circumstances for implementing the moderate reforms they had committed themselves to during the campaign. Shortly after assuming office on August 10, 1979, President Jaime Roldos quickly learned what five-time former President Velasco Ibarra, in an uncharacteristic display of understatement, is reputed to have commented—namely, that "Ecuador is a difficult country to govern." The circumstances under which Osvaldo Hurtado assumed the presidency were highly unpropitious as well as disturbingly similar to those that had led to the overthrow of many of his predecessors, both civilian and military. Keenly aware of his own precarious position, the new president in his inaugural address simultaneously called for austerity by both public and private sectors and made a plea for support from all sectors of the population.
