Several dissident Ecuadoran army officers who took part in a failed coup last weekend will be tried by military courts this week, facing up to 28 years in prison.
Some 700 officers, including 120 students at the army's prestigious War Academy, threw their weight behind last week's indigenous uprising, but fewer than 70 have been identified as active participants.
The War Academy is an elite training school for the army's commanders, and government ministers and foreign diplomats frequently visit to exchange views on issues of national importance. Graduates are posted to barracks all over the country.
The role of the military in last weekend's events is still unclear, however, as reports emerged that the ousted president, Mr Jamil Mahuad, was himself planning a "self-coup", or fujimorazo, styled after President Alberto Fujimori of Peru, who closed down congress and assumed dictatorial powers in 1992. The alleged self-coup plan was disclosed yesterday by the new Secretary of State, Mr Francisco Huerta.
Most of the officers who joined the indigenous uprising did so spontaneously, moved by the speed of events which were broadcast live on television. "We couldn't stay here with our arms crossed while companions came out against the corruption and injustice suffered by the poorest people in the country," said one officer, who requested anonymity.
Dissident troops also arrived from communications and engineering divisions, suggesting substantial dissent among the ranks.
The new President, Dr Gustavo Noboa, has left the issue of punishing the rebellious officers to the military high command, who gave him the crucial backing he needed to assume the presidential post on Saturday. However, Dr Noboa is also anxious to placate indigenous leaders who have threatened to reoccupy the capital, Quito, should the dissident officers receive jail sentences.
Col Lucio Gutierrez and Lieut Col Celso Andrade, who led the army rebellion, are being held incommunicado at a military police barracks. A Mass was held in the Amazonian town of Tena yesterday, Col Gutierrez's home town, where parishioners prayed for his speedy release.
The victory of the political establishment over Indian efforts to seize power may be short-lived as congressional elections, due in two months, are expected to reward candidates who backed the popular movement, which enjoys 70 per cent citizen approval.
Ecuador's armed forces have always held nationalist sentiments, having lost half the country to neighbouring Colombia and Peru. In the past year Ecuador's military has resented the growing alignment with US interests as Ecuador permits US vigilance of the Colombian border.
It is also considered an ally against the radical politics of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who dreams of a Bolivarian nation which would include Ecuador and Colombia, in line with the hopes of the independence hero, Simon Bolivar.
Last October the acting Defence Minister, Mr Jose Gallardo, admitted that he had been approached by "numerous" people who demanded action to remove Mr Mahuad and change the country's economic policy.
In his first day as President, Dr Noboa pledged to fight corruption and poverty and approve the "Law of Stabilisation" which would unfreeze bank accounts, dollarise the economy and establish a minimum wage of 60 cents an hour.