Ecuador troops storm hospital and rescue Correa

Quito, Agency
Ecuadorean troops stormed a hospital in Quito late on Thursday and rescued President Rafael Correa, who was trapped inside for hours by renegade police protesting at government austerity measures.

Two policemen died in the violent end to a standoff that shook the South American nation and brought a torrent of international condemnation from the White House to Havana.

The drama began when dissident police attacked Correa during protests over proposed cuts to bonuses and a freezing of promotions. He took refuge in a nearby hospital and accused opponents of trying to topple him in a coup.

Though some soldiers joined the protests, the military top brass stayed loyal and Correa was rescued amid a blaze of gunfire shown live on television around the world.

"What loyalty, what support," an emotional Correa, 47, shouted after returning triumphantly to address cheering crowds from the balcony of his presidential palace in Quito, the capital.

"This will serve as an example for those who want to stop the revolution not through the ballot box but with weapons."

The U.S.-trained economist and close ally of Venezuela's socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez took power in 2007, alienating foreign investors but winning approval ratings with populist policies like greater state control over natural resources.

Correa has steadily accumulated more power, but Thursday's chaos -- the most serious challenge to his rule since he took office in 2007 -- was a stark reminder of the OPEC nation's volatile history of economic crises and coups.

Street protests toppled three presidents in the decade before Correa took power, but none of them enjoyed the popular support that he does.

Correa irked foreign capital markets two years ago when his government defaulted on $3.2 billion in global bonds. Cash has been tight since as the nation relies on multilateral loans and bilateral lending to meet international financing needs.

Police angered by the cut-backs led Thursday's protests, and some soldiers joined in. A group of troops seized Quito's main international airport, halting flights for several hours.

Earlier on Thursday, Correa said he and his wife were jostled and stunned by an exploding tear gas canister as he tried to speak to the demonstrators. Witnesses and local media said Correa was also hit by a flying object in the melee.

But there was no sign of popular support for the protests.

In jubilant scenes at the palace on Thursday night, Correa said he had no words to thank his supporters and was relieved not to have buckled to pressure like some of his predecessors.

"We never gave in, we never agreed to negotiate anything. Under pressure, nothing," he said.