July 23, 2007 (LPAC)--In the midst of an intensifying attack on his Presidency by international vulture funds and London-centered financial interests, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa warned on July 22 that he has received numerous death threats, and that his life was in danger. He made similar public warnings on May 28 of this year.

In an interview with Channel 1 TV, Correa stated that there are "huge security risks; huge risks, and we've already had threats from groups that have tried to purchase a rocket," for a possible assassination attempt. "I am a man," he said, "who does what he has to do, regardless of the cost." But, he added, "there are fears" of an attack on his life, "because we are affecting big interests."

"Big interests" is exactly right. As author John Perkins revealed in his 2005 book "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," other Ecuadorian Presidents, such as Jaime Roldos (1979-1981), who took on the financial oligarchy in defense of national sovereignty, ended up dead. Correa is targeted not only because of his nationalist domestic policies, but also because of his key leadership role, along with Argentine President Kirchner, in creating the Bank of the South, the new financial institution that will function as an alternative to the bankrupt International Monetary Fund.

Although Correa didn't identify the source of the threats against him, he told Channel 1 TV that domestic banking and financial interests have reason to wish him dead. Legislation he proposed earlier this year to regulate the banking sector, had it been approved, would have curtailed bank profits by at least $200 million, he noted. "Do you know how cheap it would have been for them to send out an assassin to save themselves that amount of money?"