Ecuador’s Ex-President Gutiérrez Released

Ecuador’s ex-president, Lucio Gutiérrez – in prison since he returned from exile in October – has been released after a judge threw out charges of treason against him. Gutiérrez immediately announced plans to run for president in October’s upcoming elections. The former president, who was ousted from office by Congress last April, will first need approval from electoral authorities. Alfredo Palacio, Ecuador’s former vice-president, has been heading up an interim government since Gutiérrez was ousted. Gutiérrez still faces charges of corruption.