Jaime Galarza Zavala

Jaime Alejandro Galarza Zavala (Cuenca, July 28, 1930 – Quito, July 20, 2023) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, journalist, and politician. He was a prominent advocate for social justice and national sovereignty, publishing over 20 books, including El Yugo Feudal and El Festín del Petróleo, which exposed corruption in Ecuador’s oil industry. Galarza also authored Quienes mataron a Roldós, investigating the controversial death of Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós. Deeply involved in political activism, he co-founded the revolutionary youth movement URJE and served as Ecuador’s first Minister of the Environment. His work garnered international attention and led to his imprisonment, with figures like Julio Cortázar advocating for his release.

Early Life and Education

Jaime Galarza Zavala was born on July 28, 1930, in Cuenca, Ecuador, to Rafael Galarza Arízaga and Rosario Zavala Samaniego. Raised in a modest household, Galarza’s early exposure to the social struggles of Ecuador would later shape his deep commitment to justice and activism. He attended Honorato Vásquez and Luis Cordero schools, showing an early interest in writing and social issues. In fifth grade, he co-founded a school newspaper, El Escolar, with his cousin Jorge Córdova Galarza. During high school at Benigno Malo, he won a literary contest with a biography of Ecuadorian poet Medardo Ángel Silva, further fueling his passion for literature.

In 1947, Galarza moved to Quito, where he briefly attended the School of Fine Arts before abandoning formal education to engage in political and literary pursuits. At age 18, he joined the Communist Party of Ecuador, a decision that would heavily influence his lifelong activism.

Literary and Political Career

Galarza’s writing and political activism were inseparable, each reflecting the other. Early in his career, his poems were published in the socialist newspaper La Tierra. In 1959, he co-founded the Unión Revolucionaria de Juventudes Ecuatorianas (URJE), a revolutionary youth movement, and became its first president. Under his leadership, URJE organized protests against the government of Camilo Ponce Enríquez, advocating for workers’ rights and social reforms.

In 1962, Galarza published El Yugo Feudal, a critical examination of Ecuador’s land system, which fueled national debates on agrarian reform. His work, often militant in tone, condemned the exploitation of Ecuador’s marginalized communities and foreign intervention in the country’s resources. The military dictatorship that took power in 1963 viewed Galarza’s activism as a threat, leading to his exile in Bolivia and later Cuba, where he worked for Prensa Latina.

Despite these challenges, Galarza continued his literary output, focusing on the struggles of Ecuadorian society. His participation as a jury member in the Cuba-based Premio Casa de las Américas, one of Latin America’s most prestigious literary prizes, further demonstrated his impact on the region’s literary and cultural landscape. Through this role, Galarza contributed to the recognition of literature that addresses important cultural, political, and social issues relevant to Latin America.

Imprisonment and International Solidarity: El Festín del Petróleo and the Fight for Ecuador’s Sovereignty

In 1972, Galarza published El Festín del Petróleo, a groundbreaking exposé on the exploitation of Ecuador’s oil resources by multinational corporations, particularly Texaco-Gulf. The book sent shockwaves through the political establishment, accusing high-ranking Ecuadorian officials of corruption and implicating foreign powers in the exploitation of the country’s wealth. The publication of El Festín del Petróleo led to Galarza’s imprisonment by the military regime of General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara (Military Dictator/President of Ecuador 1972-1976), who sought to suppress dissent against the government’s handling of oil concessions.

Galarza’s arrest drew international attention. Prominent Latin American intellectuals, including Argentine writer Julio Cortázar, became vocal supporters of his cause. Cortázar visited Galarza in the notorious García Moreno prison in Quito, expressing his admiration for Galarza’s defense of Ecuadorian sovereignty. Upon returning to Europe, Cortázar mobilized other leading intellectuals—Gabriel García Márquez, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Miguel Ángel Asturias—to co-sign an open letter addressed to General Rodríguez Lara. The letter condemned Galarza’s imprisonment, arguing that his only “crime” was exposing foreign exploitation of Ecuador’s natural resources. The letter demanded Galarza’s immediate release and highlighted the importance of protecting free speech and intellectual inquiry.

This international act of solidarity helped place Galarza’s plight on the global stage, exerting pressure on the Ecuadorian government. Thanks to this advocacy, Galarza’s prison conditions improved, and within a few months of Cortázar’s visit, his trial and sentence were annulled, leading to his release in 1973.

The Roldós Assassination: Quienes Mataron a Roldós and Political Controversy

In 1982, Galarza published Quienes Mataron a Roldós, a controversial investigation into the death of Ecuadorian president Jaime Roldós Aguilera, who died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981. Galarza argued that Roldós’ death was a political assassination orchestrated by foreign powers, particularly the CIA, as part of the infamous Plan Cóndor, a coordinated effort by South American dictatorships to eliminate left-wing opposition.

Quienes Mataron a Roldós drew on testimony, documents, and extensive research to suggest that figures like CIA agent Manuel Noriega were involved in the conspiracy. The book reignited debates about foreign intervention in Latin America, challenging official narratives of the crash. Though controversial, the work solidified Galarza’s reputation as a fearless critic of U.S. influence in the region.

---

Excerpts from the letter by Julio Cortazar to General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara

Personal Life

Jaime Galarza Zavala’s personal life was as deeply intertwined with his political and literary commitments as his public career. In 1953, at the age of 23, he married María Luisa Riera, with whom he had six children—five daughters and one son. Despite the challenges of frequent imprisonment and political persecution, Galarza’s family remained a central pillar in his life.

His father, Rafael Galarza Arízaga, was a notable political figure who influenced his early social conscience, while his mother, Rosario Zavala Samaniego, a rural teacher, instilled in him a strong sense of empathy for Ecuador’s underprivileged populations. Galarza’s dedication to social justice and national sovereignty was not just a professional endeavor but a deeply personal mission informed by the values imparted by his parents.

Throughout his life, Galarza maintained close relationships with key figures in Latin American literature and politics. He was friends with notable individuals such as Argentine writer Julio Cortázar, who famously advocated for his release during his imprisonment in the 1970s. Galarza also shared a strong intellectual camaraderie with figures like Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa, both of whom supported him during his political struggles. He was also friends with others who shared his communist ideals, including revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

Despite the strains of his political activism, Galarza balanced his family life and professional responsibilities, finding solace in his writing and the support of his loved ones. His family remained integral to his work, and his wife and children stood by him through the many trials he faced in his pursuit of justice and social reform.

Jaime Galarza Zavala’s Interview with Philip Agee

In 1975, Jaime Galarza Zavala conducted a landmark interview with former CIA officer Philip Agee, whose book Inside the Company: CIA Diary had exposed the inner workings of the CIA’s covert operations in Latin America. Agee’s book, published that same year, detailed the CIA’s interference in numerous countries, including Ecuador, where his mission in 1960 aimed to sever diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Cuba.

During the interview, which took place in London, Agee revealed the techniques he had employed in Ecuador, including bribery, intimidation, surveillance, and forgery, all designed to destabilize the political landscape. He explained that his actions had helped subvert Ecuadorian politics for four years, severely damaging the country’s democratic institutions. Agee’s firsthand account of the CIA’s manipulation aligned closely with Galarza’s own work, which had long criticized foreign intervention and exploitation in Ecuador.

Galarza published the interview as Jaime Galarza entrevista a Philip Agee in 1975. The interview further highlighted the destructive role that foreign powers played in Ecuador’s political system. In 2014, the interview was republished as part of the book La CIA contra América Latina, Caso especial: Ecuador. This updated volume also included a 1983 speech by Agee, recorded by Galarza at the Anti-Imperialist Tribunal of Our Americas (TANA), and a 2006 interview conducted by Ecuadorian journalist Francisco Herrera Aráuz.

Galarza’s interview with Agee was significant not only for its revelations about U.S. interference in Ecuador but also for its broader critique of American imperialism throughout Latin America. It amplified Galarza’s lifelong efforts to expose foreign manipulation and protect Ecuador’s sovereignty.

Jaime Galarza Zavala Receives the 2007 Eugenio Espejo National Culture Prize

In 2007, Jaime Galarza Zavalawas awarded the Eugenio Espejo National Culture Prize by President Rafael Correa. This prestigious honor, Ecuador’s highest cultural distinction, recognized Galarza’s lifelong contributions to the country’s culture and his unwavering commitment to social justice and national sovereignty. The prize, awarded annually in various categories such as literature, science, and culture, was bestowed upon Galarza in the culture category for his profound impact on Ecuadorian society.

Named after the renowned 18th-century Ecuadorian intellectual Eugenio Espejo, the award has historically honored individuals who have made lasting contributions to Ecuador’s cultural heritage. Galarza’s work, which includes over 20 books, stood out for its fearless critique of social injustice, governmental corruption, and foreign exploitation, particularly in his influential works El Yugo Feudal and El Festín del Petróleo. His investigative journalism exposed the exploitation of Ecuador’s natural resources by multinational corporations, positioning him as a crucial advocate for Ecuadorian self-determination.

Beyond literature, Galarza’s activism spanned across journalism and politics. He co-founded the revolutionary youth movement URJE, consistently challenging Ecuador’s political establishment and defending the rights of marginalized communities. His political activism, which led to multiple imprisonments, drew international solidarity from intellectuals such as Julio Cortázar, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.

The Eugenio Espejo National Culture Prize acknowledged not only Galarza’s literary achievements but also his broader cultural contributions. His relentless defense of Ecuadorian sovereignty, his role as Ecuador’s first Minister of the Environment, and his dedication to protecting the working class and indigenous populations cemented his status as one of the country’s most influential cultural figures.

Even after receiving the prize, Galarza remained active, continuing to write, speak publicly, and support the Ecuadorian House of Culture in his later years. His award was a testament to his ongoing influence in Ecuador’s cultural and political landscape, ensuring his legacy as a national hero.

Video

Interview with the Ecuadorian writer Jaime Galarza Zavala

Ecuadorian writer and journalist Jaime Galarza Zavala speaks about the presence of the CIA in Ecuador

Jaime Galarza Zabala: La Caja de Pandora

Honors and acknowledgments

• Honorary Doctorate (honoris causa) from the Superior Politecnic School of Chimborazo.
• Eugenio Espejo National Culture Prize bestowed by President Rafael Correa of Ecuador (2007-2017) in 2007.
• Battle of Pichincha Award bestowed by the Provincial Government of Pichincha in 2010.
• Vicente Rocafuerte Prize bestowed by the National Assembly 2011.

Selected works

Title	Publisher	Year
El yugo feudal: visión del campo ecuatoriano	Editorial “Espejo”	1962
La flor y el fusil, 4 [i.e.] Cuatro momentos de poesìa combatiente	Ediciones Solitierra	1967
Che: a mis hijas, que se forjan en la escuela del Che	s.n	1969
El festín del petróleo	Universidad Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales, División de Publicaciones	1972
Piratas en el golfo	Ediciones Solitierra	1973
Los campesinos de Loja y Zamora	Universidad Central del Ecuador	1973
El amor en armas: poesía revuelta	Ediciones Solitierra	1974
Jaime Galarza entrevista a Philip Ageee, x-agente de la CIA confirma sus denuncias ; estaria dispuesto a venir al Ecuador	Movimiento Segunda Independencia	1975
Quiénes mataron a Roldós	Ediciones Solitierra	1982
Petróleo de nuestra muerte	Centro de Estudios y Difusión Social	1983
Poemas sin permiso	Ediciones Solitierra	1986
El hombre del siglo XXI: texto libre	Ediciones Solitierra	1987
Así fue el 28 de mayo: conversaciones con Jaime Galarza Zavala, (by Franklin Pérez Castro, Jaime Galarza Zavala)	Centro de Difusión y Publ. de la Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral	1990
Linea imaginaria: poesia	Poesía	1990
Cuentos de piedra	Universidad de Guayaquil, Vicerrectorado Académico	1991
Operación Gavilan	Ninacuru	1995
El festín de EMETEL	Ediciones Solitierra	1998
Jaime Galarza	Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Benjamín Carrión	2007
Eloy Alfaro: líder de nuestra América	Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana (MREMH)	2013
La CIA contra America Latina, Caso especial: Ecuador – by Philip Agee, Jaime Galarza Zavala, Francisco Herrera Aráuz	Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Movilidad Humana	2014
Que venga el tsunami!artículos de La Cometa (digital), El Telégrafo y otros medios	Sur Editores	2016
La iglesia católica: primer terrateniente del Ecuador	Unknown	Unknown

---

References

• Wikipedia, “Jaime Galarza Zavala.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel, “Galarza Zavala, Jaime.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• La Palabra Abierta, “Jaime Galarza: Adiós al poeta y luchador imprescindible.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Revista Matapalo, “Los ecos del ‘Boom’ latinoamericano en el Ecuador.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Primicias, “Muere Jaime Galarza, escritor y primer ministro de Ambiente.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Goodreads, “Jaime Galarza Zavala.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Blogspot, “Quiénes Mataron a Roldós.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Issuu, “Julio Cortázar, un continente y un libro, por Jaime Galarza Zavala.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.
• Voltaire Network, “Jaime Galarza recibe Premio Eugenio Espejo.” Retrieved on October 16, 2024. Click to view.