Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa Begins Third Term

[News_Editor]

<p>QUITO, ECUADOR (BNO NEWS) -- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa on Friday was sworn in to begin his third consecutive term.

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<p>Correa was sworn in on Friday morning in the country's National Assembly. The presidents of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, Bolivia, Evo Morales, and Venezuea, Nicolas Maduro were among those present.

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<p>In his speech, Correa underlined the importance of safeguarding the country's biodiversity and natural habitat, as well as acknowleding the political, economic, and social changes that the country is going through.

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<p>"Ecuador is one of the most dynamic economies in Latin America," Correa said, outlining that the economy grew by 4.3 percent. "Between 2006 and 2012, a million Ecuadorians were no longer poor," Correa added, as the country's extreme poverty rate reduced from 16.9 percent to 11.2 percent.

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<p>Correa, 50, was born in the city of Guayaquil. He was first elected president of Ecuador in 2006 and then reelected in 2009. His third term is scheduled to end in 2017.

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