EC–15. Editorial Note
In despatch 32 from Quito, July 19, 1960, the Embassy reported the final results of the Ecuadoran Presidential election of June 5 as follows: José María Velasco Ibarra of the National Velasquista Federation had received 373,585 votes; Galo Plaza Lasso of the Radical Liberal Party, 175,076 votes; Gonzalo Cordero Crespo of the Conservative Party, 172,690 votes; and Antonio Parra Velasco of the Left-wing of the Socialist Party, 46,173 votes. (722.00/7–1960) Carlos Julio Arosmena Monroy of the National Velasquista Federation was elected Vice President. In a memorandum of June 8 to the Secretary on the election results, Assistant Secretary Rubottom, expressed surprise at the extent of Velasco’s victory, and stated that “in view of his actions during his previous administrations, he is believed to be basically friendly to the United States.” (722.00/6–860) In despatch 567 from Quito, June 27, the Embassy reported that members of the National Velasquista Federation were “on friendly terms with the Embassy, and we expect no insuperable problems in dealing with the Velasco Administration.” (722.00/6–2760) President Velasco was inaugurated for a four-year term beginning midnight August 31, 1960.