Oil-rich Ecuador—about the size of Nevada is located at the borders of the Pacific Ocean right on the equator, hence the name. Ecuador is becoming firmly entrenched in Latin America’s growing socialist sphere. Rafael Correa, now head of government of Ecuador after the tutelage of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, is learning how to take over his country, consolidate power and “The long night of neoliberalism is coming to an end,” he said at his 2007 inauguration. “A sovereign, dignified, just and socialist Latin America is beginning to rise.” After his 2007 inauguration, the new president quickly began to push through a constitution that would give him sweeping powers to dissolve Congress, set monetary policy and hold onto office.