The article recounts the establishment of the province of Los Ríos in Ecuador, officially created through a Supreme Decree by President Gabriel García Moreno on October 6, 1860. This decree designated Babahoyo, a town with a rich history, as the capital of the newly formed province. The significance of Babahoyo as a capital was not arbitrary; it had played an important role in colonial and post-colonial Ecuador, being part of the Corregimiento of Guayaquil and later supporting the independence movement against Spanish rule.

In the early 19th century, especially after Guayaquil declared its independence on October 9, 1820, Babahoyo was one of the first towns to join the republican cause, supporting the troops that fought for liberation. The article elaborates that the fervent commitment of Babahoyo's population placed them at the forefront of historical movements, making the town a crucial actor in the struggle for Ecuador's independence. This historical context highlights why President García Moreno favored Babahoyo as the provincial capital.

In essence, the article emphasizes the historical significance of localities in Ecuador's national narrative and underlines the enduring legacy of these events on the identity and governance of regions like Los Ríos. Examining such foundational events helps to understand the contemporary socio-political dynamics in Ecuador, particularly in relation to regional pride and provincial capacities.