Rafael Correa is a politician and economist, currently serving as the President of the Republic of Ecuador. As a dictatorial leader, Rafael Correa went on to win the hearts of Ecuadorians, mainly through his measures to combat corruption and promote development in the country. Even though he was not a traditional politician and had very little exposure to the political world, he took upon the challenge and grew as a powerful leader in eradicating poverty, improving the social status of Ecuador, and limiting the interference of foreign corporations. He was elected as the President of Ecuador in 2007 and further won two consecutive unprecedented terms in 2009 and 2013, thus becoming one of the strongest leaders in decades. Under his rule, the government has contributed towards the development of schools, bridges, hospitals, and roads. Despite being perceived as a controlling head with a high-spending and verbally abrasive style, he is credited for lowering poverty and employment levels in Ecuador, with the levels dropping from 38% in 2006 to 29% at present. With his approval ratings usually above 50%, he has proved himself as a winning country head. This has largely helped him transform the nation in both social and economic spheres.