QUITO, Ecuador — Struggling to stay in power, elected President Abdala Bucaram on Saturday called for supporters to launch a general strike unless two rivals for the presidency join him in talks Wednesday to resolve this nation's constitutional crisis.
Dripping wet from rain and in shirt sleeves, Bucaram entered the state government building in the port of Guayaquil and proclaimed, "I am going to defend the constitution."
But as he spoke to supporters, Congress was meeting in Quito, the capital, to ratify its Thursday night vote declaring Bucaram mentally incompetent and naming congressional leader Fabian Alarcon interim president.
Vice President Rosalia Arteaga also has declared herself the rightful president. She met Saturday with Ecuador's military commanders, U.S. officials and leaders of civic and business groups to shore up her position.
The political maneuvering met with public indifference as shops closed early for the four-day Carnaval holiday and people gathered in city parks and the cafes along Avenida Rio Amazonas, Quito's main boulevard.
"This is what always happens in Ecuador," said street vendor Manuel Rames, 55. "It's the same old politicians fighting for power."
Despite Bucaram's threats, the possibility that the popularly elected but increasingly unpopular president--known as "El Loco," the Crazy One--will continue in power appeared increasingly less likely, analysts said. "Bucaram is out," flatly stated Freddy Ellers, a longtime political rival.
Four Cabinet ministers, including Defense Minister Victor Bayas, had resigned since Thursday. The resignation of Bayas, a retired general, was announced Saturday and was seen as a sign that the powerful military had withdrawn its support for Bucaram.
Still, whether the eccentric Bucaram, Arteaga or Alarcon ultimately sits in the presidential palace, Ecuadoreans predicted little difference in their country's future.
"These political problems are distractions that hurt the country's image but that do not mean profound social or political change," said Miguel Yanez, a 38-year-old artist. "We are puppets of the great powers. We are drowning in debt, and the international framework does not allow any leader to carry out his intentions."
Bucaram has drawn fire during his six-month term for what many view as his odd behavior, such as singing off key at his inauguration and dancing on stage with scantily clad showgirls.
