Plaza Lasso, Galo (1906–1987)

US-born Ecuadorean politician, diplomat, and president 1948–52. A liberal democrat, he was the first constitutionally elected president in 28 years to complete a full term in office. His agricultural expertise had a significant influence on the development of this sector during his administration, and his policies were credited with bringing about record export figures for the country's principal export crops: banana, cacao and coffee.

Plaza Lasso served as a diplomat to the USA before his election as president in 1948. He later returned to diplomacy, acting as a UN mediator in Lebanon in 1958, Congo in 1960, and Cyprus 1964–65. He also served as secretary general of the Organization of American States 1968–75.