José María Velasco Ibarra was an Ecuadorian politician. He became president of Ecuador five times, in 1934–1935, 1944–1947, 1952–1956, 1960–1961, and 1968–1972, and only in 1952–1956 he completed a full term. In his four other terms, he was removed by military force, and several times he was installed as president through a military coup.

The president of Ecuador, officially called the constitutional president of the Republic of Ecuador, serves as the head of state and head of government of Ecuador. It is the highest political office in the country as the head of the executive branch of government. Per the current constitution, the president can serve two four-year terms. Prior to that, the president could only serve one four-year term.