the government's administration and finances and brought about a massive infrastructure increase, thus cementing a base for his protégé, Jaime Nebot (also from the Social Christian Party). Nebot turned out to be the main political rival of President Correa (2007–2017), establishing a reputation as an important force in the Ecuadorian politics. In 2002 Febres-Cordero ran successfully for a seat in Congress, representing his native province, Guayas, for the 2003–2007 term. Despite being a regular absentee due to health issues, he was reelected in 2006, but those same issues forced him to retire shortly before the beginning of the new legislative period early 2007. This symbolically marked the end of his political clout over the country. That same year, and in what was his last public appearance, he criticized the conformation of a Truth Commission by the new left-wing government of Rafael Correa, who in his 2006 presidential campaign promised to “halt the impunity” of the Febres-Cordero regime. The latter said that the body was a persecution tool of the new government, denounced an alleged leftist bias (as a former AVC member was among the commissioners) and accused it of being “inquisitorial.” Personal life Febres-Cordero was first married to former First Lady of Ecuador María Eugenia Cordovez, to whom he had four daughters – María Eugenia, María Fernanda, María Liliana and María Auxiliadora. They divorced in 1988 after thirty-four years of marriage. Later he married Cruz Maria Massu, but they had no children. Death Febres-Cordero died aged 77 in Guayaquil, on December 15, 2008, from lung cancer and emphysema. He was granted a state funeral. His remains are buried at the Cementerio Parque de la Paz. References External links Conmemorial video Official Website of the Ecuadorian Government about the country President's History Edufuturo Amnesty International 1931 births 2008 deaths Presidents of Ecuador Mayors of Guayaquil Social Christian Party (Ecuador) politicians Members of the National Congress (Ecuador) Stevens Institute of Technology alumni Charlotte Hall Military Academy alumni Deaths from lung cancer in Ecuador Deaths from emphysema People from Guayaquil