Ecuadoreans have voted against allowing the return of foreign military bases in the country, frustrating US hopes of expanding its presence in the Eastern Pacific region.
The referendum result is a blow to Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, who had campaigned to change the constitution in order to reverse a ban that the country's legislature passed in 2008.
He argued that the presence of foreign military would help combat organized crime and curb the rising violence that has plagued the nation, which has become a critical hub for drug trafficking.
The US had intended for the referendum to serve as a precursor to re-establishing a military base, which had been shut down 16 years prior following Ecuador's decision not to renew its lease on the facility.
Although Ecuador itself does not produce cocaine, its strategic location and extensive port facilities make it a lucrative target for drug-traffickers, with President Noboa estimating that around 70% of the world’s cocaine transits through Ecuador.
While Noboa has adopted a stringent military approach to managing crime, critics accuse his administration of employing authoritarian tactics. The former US military base was closed after leftist leader Rafael Correa moved to not renew its contract while pushing for a constitutional ban.
During the referendum, voters also rejected proposals aimed at curbing public funding for political parties, reducing the size of Congress, and convening a constitutional assembly aimed at revising the nation's constitution, reflecting widespread concern over potential authoritarianism.
In response to the referendum outcomes, President Noboa stated his commitment to respecting the democratic decision.
Simultaneously, notable events unfolded as law enforcement captured a major figure in drug-trafficking operations within Ecuador, further complicating the nation’s struggle against crime as the US ramped up its military activities in the region.
