Fed up with politicians, Ecuadoreans turned to local radio, text messages and the Internet to whip up a street rebellion this week that helped push their president Lucio Gutierrez out of office. Gutierrez, a former army officer elected in late 2002, was waiting in Quito's Brazilian embassy residence on Saturday for safe conduct to asylum in Brazil, three days after intense protests played their part in forcing him from office.
Buoyant protesters, including businessmen, housewives and students, described the demonstrations as a popular rebellion that grew through word of mouth, cellular telephone text messages and broadcasts on La Luna, a local radio station.
Many said the week-long rallies were a spontaneous reaction to frustration with what they saw as the government's abuse of power and disappointment with leaders of all political colours.
"We opened the microphones to the people so they could talk about what Ecuador was living at the moment," Radio La Luna manager Ataulfo Tobar told Reuters.
As protests grew, opposition lawmakers held a special session on Wednesday to dismiss Gutierrez. The president fled in a helicopter after military leaders also withdrew their support for him.
Police firing tear gas clashed with opposition protesters who accused Gutierrez of authoritarian rule. At least two people were killed.
Gutierrez told supporters by telephone from the embassy residence on Friday that he had been illegally ousted. The United States and regional leaders, concerned over Ecuador's democracy, are urging a constitutional solution to the crisis.