Correa obtained the support of many social movements, mainly due to his positions in relation to the Free Trade Agreement (TLC) with the US, which he will not pursue. He supports the Latin American regional integration process, to face the globalizad world. He also said that he would review the oil contracts with transnational companies because currently out of 5 oil barrels exploited in Ecuador, 4 remain in hands of the foreign oil companies. He offers to renegotiate the contracts to invest income in health, education and social development.
Correa forms part of the new generation of progressive leaders in Latin America, such as Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Lula in Brazil, Kirchner in Argentina, Vászquez in Uruguay and Bachelet in Chile. He is a 43 year old economist, former Finance Secretary to the current president Palacio, with graduate studies in Lovaina and the US.
Correa, a professional economist, describes his five key areas of reform as: constitutional revolution, ethical revolution, economic and productivity revolution, education and health revolution, and dignity, sovereignty and Latin American integration revolution.
Correa has pledged to shut down the U.S. military base in Manta, where 400 U.S. soldiers are stationed as part of the Eloy Alfaro Air Base. Though he has also jokingly stated that "We can negotiate with the U.S. about a base in Manta, if they let us put a military base in Miami, if there is no problem, we'll accept". This is the only U.S. military base in South America. He also expressed his intention to reduce the burden of the debt service, through compulsory debt restructuring, saying he will give priority to social development.
Correa's ability to communicate with Ecuador's indigenous population in their own language differentiates him from the other presidential candidates. He speaks Quechua, the main indigenous language in the region, which he learned in his youth during a year he spent volunteering in a remote highland town. He's also fluent in English and French.
Many of the members of the Ecuador No Bases Coalition expressed their support for Correa due to his opposition to the Manta Base and the Free Trade Agreement. Many organizations, including the No Bases Coalition, will be vigilant to the fulfillment of President Correa's promises once he takes office on January 15, 2007.
The No Bases Coalition is requesting an appointment with his Home Minister, Gustavo Larrea, to obtain support for the International Conference for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases.