Modern Times

There have been many disagreements between Ecuador and Colombia and Peru regarding border lines. Ecuador initially signed a treaty with Peru, establishing the boundary between the two countries. Most Ecuadorian maps today still mark the border according to that treaty. However, in 1942, the two countries went to war and the borders were redrawn according to the new Rio de Janeiro treaty.

Although this new treaty was signed, the border has remained a point of contention between the two countries, occasionally causing short wars. In 1998, newly elected president of Ecuador Jamil Mahuad came to an agreement with Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori and the question of borders was finally settled at the expense of Ecuador releasing some of its territory to Peru.

Rivalry between the conservatives of Quito and the liberals of Guayaquil has been and still is an issue in this country, with the Guayaquileños seeking some degree of independence from the Quiteños and thus the governors of the country. It is currently an issue that has been brought to parliament and will have to be decided upon.