Ecuador's Lefty President Nabs Landslide Win

Voters reelected Rafael Correa as president of Ecuador yesterday, making the US-educated leftist the first incumbent to win reelection since 1972. "We have made history," said Correa at his victory rally. After his three predecessors were all thrown out of office amid anti-government protests, Correa has brought a sea change to the South American nation, reports CNN.

While full results of yesterday's vote were still unavailable, Correa seems to have won about 55% of the vote, more than 25 points ahead of his nearest rival. Barely out of school when he took office in 2007, Correa has jacked up government spending for the poor and brought stability to a restless nation, albeit sometimes with strong-arm tactics. (More Latin America stories.)