Through a national referendum held on Nov. 16, Ecuadorian voters rejected a proposal to allow a United States military base or other foreign military bases within the country. Ecuador’s current constitution bans foreign military bases on its territory.
The measure, which Ecuadorian voters overwhelmingly rejected, was part of a constitutional reform proposed by President Daniel Noboa.
“The main issue here is the sovereignty and the fact that this country has had experience of having military bases in the past,” Alessandro Rampietti, reporting from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, said. “So, it seems like a majority of people say no. They are saying we can do it with our police and our army. And that the problem is the corruption, the problem is that the laws in the country are not implemented.”
While President Noboa argued that an American military presence would help his government combat a surge in drug-related violence, voters’ rejection “blocks the United States military from returning to an airbase at Manta on the Pacific coast—once a hub for Washington’s anti-drug operations,” AlJazeera reported.
“And there have been allegations of many abuses committed by the U.S. soldiers when they were in the country, including the sinking of fishermen’s boats, and also an increase in prostitution in the towns near the bases, as well as mistreatment of locals by these soldiers, who had immunity,” Rampietti said.
But analysts suggest the rejection was less about unhappiness with the U.S. and more a reflection of widespread public dissatisfaction and distrust with Noboa’s handling of domestic issues, including rising homicides and economic problems.
“We respect the will of the Ecuadorian people,” President Noboa said on X. “Our commitment does not change; it strengthens. We will continue to fight tirelessly for the country that you deserve, with the tools that we have.”
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