Quito, January 3 (RHC)-- Rafael Correa, the former president of Ecuador, announced in a radio interview, that he would return to the country next Thursday, to support the campaign against next month's referendum.

The plebiscite was proposed by Lenín Moreno, the current president of Ecuador, in order to “strengthen democracy”, and will take place on February 4.

In the interview, Correa stated that he would support the “NO” against three specific points of the seven included in the referendum, which are the election of new members of the Civic Participation Council, invalidating the amendment that allows indefinite re-election of elected positions and the placing of restrictions on mineral mining.

“These people want to end the division of power, they want to end democracy, go back 20 years and then take the next 20 years for themselves," the former Ecuadoran president said.

He added that they may have control of the media, millions of dollars and the government, "but we have millions of arms, millions of hearts and millions of minds".

This will be the  second time Correa visits  Ecuador after his term ended. Between last November and December, Correa spent ten days in the country, attending several events including a  PAIS Alliance convention. He stated that his visit and the organization against the Moreno faction within the PAIS Alliance was virtually ignored by the media.