Gabriela Rivadeneira

Rivadeneira was born in Quito as the first of four children. At age five she moved to Otavalo. In 2000, when she was seventeen, she received the beauty pageant title of Reina del Yamor (English: Queen of Yamor).For more information on the Queen of Yamor as a beauty queen see: {{cite book|author1=Mathew C. Gutmann|author2=Félix V. Rodriguez|author3=Lynn Stephen|author4=Patricia Zavella|title=Perspectives on Las Americas: A Reader in Culture, History, & Representation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vzjmav_NPFoC&pg=PA343|accessdate=15 June 2013|date=15 April 2008|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-75206-7|pages=343–}} The popularity and local fame she gained with this achievement enabled her to be successful in local politics.{{cite web |author=Washington Benalcázar |url=http://www.elcomercio.com.ec/politica/Gabriela-Rivadeneira-grafitera-consejala-asambleista-votada_0_872312796.html |title='Gaby' pasó de reina a grafitera y de concejala a asambleísta más votada |language=Spanish |publisher=El Comercio |date=25 February 2013 |accessdate=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615194003/http://www.elcomercio.com.ec/politica/Gabriela-Rivadeneira-grafitera-consejala-asambleista-votada_0_872312796.html |archive-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Rivadeneira went to the Colegio Santa Juana de Chantal. During her stay there she became president of the advice board and leader of the student board.

Rivadeneira founded the cultural organisation Mirarte in 1998, while she was fourteen years old. For her, it was a relief valve against the Ecuadorian government during those years. The organisation later produced the first children's film in Ecuador, Sara la Espantapájaros. Rivadeneira had a role in the movie.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/actualidad/item/gabriela-es-el-talento-gestado-en-la-tenacidad.html |title=Gabriela es el talento gestado en la tenacidad |language=Spanish |publisher=El Telégrafo |date=14 May 2013 |accessdate=15 June 2013}} Rivadeneira has said that in her youth she sprayed graffiti for ideological goals as a protest against foreign debt, free-trade treaties and the presence of the U.S. Manta Air Base at Eloy Alfaro International Airport.

Rivadeneira started her political career as councilwoman for the municipality of Otavalo; she served in this capacity between 2004 and 2008. During that time she won the elections in 2004 and 2008. From 2004 till 2006 she was a member of the Pachakutik party. But in 2006 she left and became a member of a group that would later join forces with the PAIS Alliance. She was vice mayor of the city of Otavalo between 2006 and 2008. Between 2009 and 2011 she served as vice prefect of Imbabura Province. She also was a member of the national directory of PAIS Alliance between 2010 and 2012.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.elcomercio.com/politica/Gabriela-Rivadeneira-beldad-politica-influyente_0_805719614.html |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira, de beldad a política influyente |language=Spanish |publisher=El Comercio |date=7 November 2012 |accessdate=14 June 2013 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220152436/http://www.elcomercio.com/politica/Gabriela-Rivadeneira-beldad-politica-influyente_0_805719614.html |url-status=dead }}

On 28 July 2011 Rivadeneira took up the function of governor of Imbabura Province after Governor Pedro Dávila laid down his function.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.ecuadorinmediato.com/index.php?module=Noticias&func=news_user_view&id=154646&umt=posesionada_nueva_gobernadora_imbabura |title=Posesionada nueva Gobernadora de Imbabura |language=Spanish |publisher=Ecuador Inmediato |date=28 July 2011 |accessdate=14 June 2013}} In 2011 in the power struggle that saw Rafael Correa take over the leadership of the Alianza Pais party, a National board was created. Soliz was one of the 22 members of that board which included Irina Cabezas, Nancy Morocho, María Luisa Moreno, Dora Aguirre, Jorge Loor, Doris Soliz and Patricia Sarzoza.{{Cite web |date=2011-08-22 |title=Alianza País se alinea totalmente a Correa {{!}} Movimiento País |url=http://movimientoalianzapais.com.ec/blog/2011/02/01/alianza-pais-se-alinea-totalmente-a-correa/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822132141/http://movimientoalianzapais.com.ec/blog/2011/02/01/alianza-pais-se-alinea-totalmente-a-correa/ |archive-date=2011-08-22 }} To take up this position Rivadeneira was forced to lay down her function of Vice Prefect in the same province. As Rivadeneira became governor at age 28 she became not only the first female governor of Imbabura Province, but also the youngest.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.elnorte.ec/imbabura/actualidad/8524.html |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira, gobernadora de Imbabura |language=Spanish |publisher=El Norte |date=26 July 2011 |accessdate=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220021545/http://www.elnorte.ec/imbabura/actualidad/8524.html |archive-date=20 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} Rivadeneira was chosen for this position by President Rafael Correa.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/english-bulletin/item/the-new-face-of-ecuadorian-politics-gabriela-rivadeneira.html |title=The new face of Ecuadorian politics: Gabriela Rivadeneira |publisher=El Telégrafo (Ecuador) |date=10 May 2013 |accessdate=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615193959/http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/english-bulletin/item/the-new-face-of-ecuadorian-politics-gabriela-rivadeneira.html |archive-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} On 9 November 2012 Rivadeneira resigned as governor, so she could run in the 2013 general election.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.elcomercio.com/pais/elecciones_2013-Asamblea-Alianza_Pais_0_807519337.html |title=Gobernadora de Imbabura renuncia para candidatizarse a la Asamblea |language=Spanish |publisher=El Comercio |date=9 November 2012 |accessdate=4 June 2013 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615193959/http://www.elcomercio.com/pais/elecciones_2013-Asamblea-Alianza_Pais_0_807519337.html |url-status=dead }} In March 2013 she went to the funeral of Hugo Chávez as part of the Ecuadorian delegation.

Rivadeneira led the PAIS Alliance in the February 2013 elections for the National Assembly while more senior politicians were placed behind her on the national list. Examples of these were the then President of the National Assembly Fernando Cordero Cueva, the then Vice President of the National Assembly Juan Carlos Cassinelli and Rosana Alvarado. She personally received 3,498,379 votes. On 14 May 2013 Rivadeneira was chosen as President of the National Assembly after receiving 107 of 137 votes in her favor.

After being chosen as President of the National Assembly she was mentioned as a potential successor for President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa. Correa announced that he would not seek another term in the 2017 elections because of the country's term limits. Earlier, Correa had mentioned Rivadeneira as a possible successor while he was on a visit to Imbabura Province. Rivadeneira would not have been eligible, as she would not have reached the minimum age of 35 for the office of president.{{cite web|author=Adriana Noboa Arregui |url=http://expreso.ec/expreso/plantillas/nota.aspx?idart=4604016&idcat=19308&tipo=2 |title=No hay heredero a la vista para el legado de Correa |language=Spanish |publisher=Expreso |date=4 June 2013 |accessdate=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604143813/http://expreso.ec/expreso/plantillas/nota.aspx?idart=4604016&idcat=19308&tipo=2 |archivedate=4 June 2013 }}

Rivadeneira's role as president of Ecuador's National Assembly has sparked criticism. On 3 October 2013 Rivadeneira spoke in the Ecuadorian National Assembly and quoted the music group Quilapayún by saying "... we have to flip the tortilla so that the poor eat bread, and the rich eat shit". Her action was criticized by opposition MPs.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2013/10/04/nota/1537731/frase-rivadeneira-que-pobres-coman-pan-ricos-mierda-genera-criticas |title=Frase de Rivadeneira 'Que los pobres coman pan y los ricos mierda' genera críticas |language=Spanish |publisher=El Universo |date=4 October 2013 |accessdate=8 February 2015}} Other examples include the warrant against legislator Cléver Jiménez,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/politica/criticas-a-rivadeneira-allanamiento.html |title=Críticas a Rivadeneira por el allanamiento |publisher=El Comercio |language=Spanish |accessdate=8 February 2015}} and the acquisition of a house for 250,000 U.S. dollars.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.elcomercio.com.ec/actualidad/ecuador-casa-rivadeneira-costo-asamblea.html |title=La casa de Rivadeneira costó USD 250 000 con crédito del Biess |language=Spanish |publisher=El Comercio |date=19 December 2014 |accessdate=8 February 2015}}

In May 2015 Rivadeneira was re-elected as President of the National Assembly.{{cite web|author=Paúl Zamora |url=http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/ecuador-gabrielarivadeneira-asambleanacional-reeleccion-alianzapais.html |title=La reelección de Gabriela Rivadeneira toma impulso en Alianza País |language=Spanish |publisher=El Comercio |date=10 May 2015 |accessdate=5 March 2017}} In February 2016 she became President of the Latin American Parliament.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.parlatino.org/pt/cdn/item/1479-asambleista-gabriela-rivadeneira-asume-presidencia-del-parlatino |title=Asambleísta Gabriela Rivadeneira asume Presidencia del Parlatino |language=Spanish |publisher=Latin American Parliament |date=13 February 2016 |accessdate=5 March 2017 |archive-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306034740/http://www.parlatino.org/pt/cdn/item/1479-asambleista-gabriela-rivadeneira-asume-presidencia-del-parlatino |url-status=dead }} In July 2016, with other Latin American regimes in trouble, she defended the Socialism of the 21st century of Latin America, stating that it had not been broken.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/article92978547.html |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira rechaza que el Socialismo del siglo XXI haya fracasado |language=Spanish |publisher=El Nuevo Herald |date=31 July 2016 |accessdate=5 March 2017}}

Rivadeneira's public approval rate dropped from 45% in December 2013, to 26,5% in the end of 2016.{{cite web|author= |url=http://lahora.com.ec/index.php/noticias/show/1102016908/-1/Gabriela_Rivadeneira_con_el_61,1%25_de_desaprobaci%C3%B3n.html#.WLw6ljvhC1s |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira con el 61,1% de desaprobación |language=Spanish |publisher=La Hora |date=3 January 2017 |accessdate=5 March 2017}} On 15 February 2017 her office received a bomb threat when a CD package with explosives was delivered.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.metroecuador.com.ec/ec/noticias/2017/02/15/amenaza-bomba-oficina-gabriela-rivadeneira.html |title=Amenaza de bomba en la oficina de Gabriela Rivadeneira |language=Spanish |publisher=Metro |date=15 February 2017 |accessdate=5 March 2017}} In the 19 February 2017 elections Rivadeneira was re-elected as member of the National Assembly for the National Constituency. She was the most voted woman.{{cite web |author= |url=http://elnorte.ec/actualidad/67327-gabriela-rivadeneira,-la-asamble%C3%ADsta-m%C3%A1s-votada-del-pa%C3%ADs.html |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira la asambleísta más votada del país |language=Spanish |publisher=El Norte |date=2 March 2017 |accessdate=5 March 2017 |archive-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306033851/http://elnorte.ec/actualidad/67327-gabriela-rivadeneira,-la-asamble%C3%ADsta-m%C3%A1s-votada-del-pa%C3%ADs.html |url-status=dead }}

On 1 May 2017 she was elected the executive secretary of the PAIS Alliance.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politiko-2017/49/lenin-moreno-nuevo-presidente-de-ap-gabriela-rivadeneira-flamante-secretaria-ejecutiva |title=Lenín Moreno, nuevo presidente de AP; Gabriela Rivadeneira, flamante secretaria ejecutiva |language=Spanish |publisher=El Telégrafo |date=1 May 2017 |accessdate=16 May 2017}} On 14 May 2017 she was succeeded as President of the National Assembly by José Serrano.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politiko-2017/49/legisladores-arriban-a-la-asamblea-para-sesion-inaugural-y-eleccion-de-autoridades |title=La nueva Asamblea Nacional designó a sus principales autoridades |language=Spanish |publisher=El Telégrafo |date=14 May 2017 |accessdate=15 May 2017}} In January 2018 the Electoral Dispute Court (Spanish: Tribunal Contencioso Electoral) stated that Rivadeneira was longer executive secretary of the PAIS Alliance.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.ecuadorenvivo.com/politica/24-politica/70902-el-tce-ratifica-que-gabriela-rivadeneira-no-es-la-secretaria-ejecutiva-de-ap-el-comercio-de-quito.html#.Xq632qgzYdU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116225532/http://www.ecuadorenvivo.com/politica/24-politica/70902-el-tce-ratifica-que-gabriela-rivadeneira-no-es-la-secretaria-ejecutiva-de-ap-el-comercio-de-quito.html |title=El TCE ratifica que Gabriela Rivadeneira no es la secretaria ejecutiva de AP |language=Spanish |publisher=Ecuador en vivo |date=16 January 2018 |archive-date=16 January 2018}}

During the Correa-Moreno split within PAIS, she sided with the former, leaving the party and becoming one of the leaders of the Citizen Revolution Movement.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-50036804 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201015708/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-50036804 |title=Crisis en Ecuador: quién es Gabriela Rivadeneira, la destacada figura del "correísmo" que pidió refugio a México |language=Spanish |publisher=BBC News Mundo |date=13 October 2019 |archive-date=1 December 2019}} During the October 2019 Ecuadorian protests Rivadeneira sought refuge in the embassy of Mexico in Quito. On 9 January 2020 she moved to Mexico with her spouse and children.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2020/01/13/nota/7689321/gabriela-rivadeneira-mexico-unico-objetivo-gobierno-es-vetarnos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113224851/https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2020/01/13/nota/7689321/gabriela-rivadeneira-mexico-unico-objetivo-gobierno-es-vetarnos |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira desde México: El único objetivo (del Gobierno) es vetarnos de la candidatura del 2021 |language=Spanish |publisher=El Universo |date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=13 January 2020}}

In May 2022 she was still in exile in Mexico with outstanding charges against her in Ecuador.{{Cite web |last=Bernardo |first=Hector |date=2022-05-16 |title=Entrevista a Gabriela Rivadeneira: "Necesitamos repensar qué tipo de democracia queremos" |url=http://www.diariocontexto.com.ar/2022/05/16/entrevista-a-gabriela-rivadeneira-necesitamos-repensar-que-tipo-de-democracia-queremos/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Diario Contexto |language=es}}

Rivadeneira is married to writer Luis Flores and has two children.{{cite web|author=Luis Padilla |url=http://www.andes.info.ec/en/politica/gabriela-rivadeneira-first-female-president-history-ecuadorian-congress.html |title=Gabriela Rivadeneira, the first female president in the history of the Ecuadorian Congress |publisher=Agencia Pública de Noticias del Ecuador y Suramérica |date=14 May 2013 |accessdate=13 June 2013}} Rivadeneira has said that she is a frequent reader of Eduardo Galeano's work.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131031130634/http://www.asambleanacional.gob.ec/presidencia.html Presidency of the National Assembly] on National Assembly

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Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Women members of the National Assembly (Ecuador)

Category:Governors of Imbabura Province

Category:Members of the second National Assembly (Ecuador)

Category:Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement – New Country politicians

Category:PAIS Alliance politicians

Category:Politicians from Quito

Category:Presidents of the National Assembly (Ecuador)

Category:Women governors of provinces of Ecuador

Category:Provincial Prefects of Ecuador

Category:21st-century Ecuadorian women politicians