Public Protest Against the Return of US Military Bases in Ecuador

SadaNews - Preliminary results from the public referendum held in Ecuador show that the majority of voters cast their ballots with "no" on the proposal to reopen US military bases in the country, alongside other proposals for constitutional amendments and political changes.

According to the preliminary results after counting about 75% of the votes, approximately 60% of voters opposed lifting the ban that has been in place for years on the presence of foreign bases on Ecuadorian territory.

This rejection blocks the way for the return of the US military to the coastal base of Manta, which Washington previously used for drug trafficking operations before it was closed in 2009.

The outcome of the referendum is a significant political blow to Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who is considered one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America and a friend of US President Donald Trump.

Noboa relied on American support for his project in exchange for assistance in combating drug trafficking gangs.

Commenting on the defeat, Noboa said, "We respect the will of the Ecuadorian people," adding that the results showed a clear commitment to national sovereignty despite the rising security challenges in the country.

About 14 million qualified voters voted on four questions in the mandatory referendum, which included proposals to amend the constitution, end government funding for political parties, and reduce the number of parliament members. Preliminary results showed that the majority of voters rejected all four proposals.

This referendum comes amidst a US military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, which Washington claims is targeting drug trafficking networks.

The country is also facing a sharp rise in crime rates associated with drug trafficking, recording 39 homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, according to the Insight Crime Institute, the highest rate among Latin American countries.

Experts expect the crime rate in the country to rise to 52 homicides this year, a rate not seen before and double that recorded in neighboring countries.

In this context, some voters expressed a preference to maintain national security sovereignty away from foreign intervention.

Voter Ana Manotua (36 years old) commented after casting her vote in northern Quito, "No healthcare and no security, I voted against the government."

Another voter, Carlos Vaca (60 years old), believed that "some proposals are useful, but the return of military bases is a trick."

Before the vote, President Noboa announced the arrest of Pipo Chavarria - who is described as a drug trafficking gang leader - in an operation carried out in Spain.

While Noboa did not clarify the details of the new constitution project, analysts believe that security and economic challenges will remain in Ecuador despite the referendum results, amid expectations that the rejection of constitutional amendments will not lead to significant changes in the short term.