Obama reaffirms US support for Ecuador’s institutions, president in wake of police revolt

Obama reaffirms support to Ecuador’s president

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama has called Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa to urge that tensions in that country be resolved through democratic means.

The call came Wednesday after the Andean nation was briefly paralyzed last week by a police revolt that Correa called a coup.

Correa is an ally of leftist presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Evo Morales of Bolivia, who accused the United States of being behind the bloody revolt that spun out of control in Ecuador.

The White House says that Obama reiterated to Correa that the United States supports him and Ecuador’s democratic institutions.

Correa has brought unusual political stability to Ecuador, a traditionally volatile nation.