... 2007, in the Pacific coastal city of Manta, 4 persons, among them Ecuador's Defense Minister, Guadalupe Larriva, died in a 
collision between 2 helicopters. Just 9 days earlier Larriva (below), a Socialist and university professor, had become the country's 1st woman, and among its few civilians, ever to hold that post. Appointed on February 1, 2007, to replace her was another woman, Lorena Escudero. Not affiliated with any political party, before her appointment Escudero had been director of the Center for Latin American Social and Political Studies at the University of Cuenca. (See comment below.) The 2 were "part of a wave of female defense leaders" in Latin America. (photo credit)
collision between 2 helicopters. Just 9 days earlier Larriva (below), a Socialist and university professor, had become the country's 1st woman, and among its few civilians, ever to hold that post. Appointed on February 1, 2007, to replace her was another woman, Lorena Escudero. Not affiliated with any political party, before her appointment Escudero had been director of the Center for Latin American Social and Political Studies at the University of Cuenca. (See comment below.) The 2 were "part of a wave of female defense leaders" in Latin America. (photo credit)
