Jaime Galarza Zavala

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Galarza and the second or maternal family name is Zavala.

Jaime Galarza Zavala (28 July 1930^[1][2][3] – 20 July 2023) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, journalist and politician.

Galarza Zavala in 2013

Life and career

Jaime Galarza Zavala was born in Cuenca on 28 July 1930. He published over 20 books, including books of poetry and the following non-fiction books: El yugo feudal, El festín del petróleo, Piratas del golfo, Los Campesinos de Loja y Zamora, Petróleo de nuestra muerte, Quienes mataron a Roldós.^[4]

Zavala was Ecuador's first person to hold a Cabinet post as Minister of the Environment.

In 2007, he was awarded the Ecuadorian national prize Premio Eugenio Espejo by the President of Ecuador.

Galarza Zavala died from lung disease in Quito, on 20 July 2023, at the age of 92.^[5]