Quito, Ecuador
Latin America gained another leftist leader this week, when economist Rafael Correa was elected president of Ecuador. Correa, 43, easily defeated banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa, the country's richest man. During the campaign, both candidates promised to fight poverty and double the monthly government stipend to the poor. Like Bolivian President Evo Morales, Correa is close to leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and he campaigned on his opposition to a trade deal with the U.S. But Correa pledged to steer his own course and maintain friendly relations with the U.S.
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