Trendpills
Ecuadorians are heading to the polls for a significant national referendum that could overturn a constitutional ban on the presence of foreign military bases. The vote, championed by President Daniel Noboa, is presented as a critical measure to combat the escalating wave of violence and organized crime that has plagued the nation.
The referendum directly addresses a clause in the 2008 constitution, enacted under former President Rafael Correa, which prohibits foreign troops and military installations on Ecuadorian soil. President Noboa's government argues that repealing this ban is essential for strengthening security cooperation, particularly with the United States. The goal is to gain support in the fight against powerful transnational drug cartels that use Ecuador as a transit point. This security crisis has transformed the country from one of South America's most peaceful into one of its most violent, a shift that has driven support for drastic security measures among the populace. Recent polls from the Cedatos firm indicated that nearly two-thirds of voters were in favor of the constitutional change.
If the measure passes, it would pave the way for the potential return of a U.S. security presence, possibly at coastal bases like Manta, which hosted an American anti-narcotics airbase until 2009. The Noboa administration views this partnership as a key component of its security strategy. The move follows a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who toured military facilities in Manta and Salinas, signaling high-level discussions between the two nations.
However, the proposal has faced opposition from critics who view it as a surrender of national sovereignty. Opponents, including allies of the former Correa government, argue that allowing foreign bases is a step backward and will not solve the country's deep-rooted security problems. They frame the referendum as part of a broader political effort by the Noboa administration to dismantle the legacy of Correa’s “Citizens’ Revolution,” which prioritized national sovereignty and rights for nature. The outcome of the vote will be a major indicator of Ecuador's future security policy and its geopolitical alignment in the region.
