Ecuador Rejects Proposal to Allow Return of Foreign Military Bases

Voters in Ecuador have decisively turned down a proposal to permit the re-establishment of foreign military bases on their national territory. The referendum, which included multiple questions regarding constitutional changes, saw over 60% of Ecuadorians voting against the measure to welcome back foreign troops, with the majority of ballots counted.

The rejected provision sought to reverse a 2008 ban on foreign military installations, a policy initially intended to reinforce Ecuador's sovereignty. The government had argued that allowing foreign, particularly United States, military personnel could bolster efforts to combat escalating violence and drug trafficking linked to organized crime syndicates. Ecuador, bordered by Colombia and Peru--two of the world's largest producers of coca leaf--has become an important transit hub for narcotics. The country has experienced a significant rise in violent crime, attributed in large part to gangs involved in the global drug trade.

The administration had previously held consultations with officials from the United States and Brazil about the potential for foreign troop deployments to assist Ecuadorian security forces. Earlier this month, discussions included a tour of the Manta military base, a site previously used by the United States military from 1999 until the ban in 2009. The Ecuadorian government cited the growing challenge of tackling organized crime and drug cartels as the primary reason for seeking outside assistance.

Alongside the question of foreign military bases, the referendum included other significant proposals: ending public funding for political parties, reducing the number of lawmakers, and creating a new elected body to draft a fresh constitution. Voters also rejected the plan to initiate the drafting of a new constitution, with more than 61% opposed. The government had criticized the existing constitution as overly complex and containing numerous flaws, but critics voiced concerns that changes might consolidate power in the executive branch or curtail civil rights.

Nearly 14 million Ecuadorians were eligible to vote in the referendum, highlighting the significance of public participation in shaping national policy. The defeat of the measure to allow foreign military bases represents a setback for the government's strategy to intensify its campaign against drug trafficking through expanded security cooperation with international partners.

Despite the rejection, the administration affirmed its respect for the decision and indicated it would continue to pursue alternative approaches to address rising insecurity and organized crime. Ecuador's struggle with violence remains acute, with over 4,600 murders reported in the first half of the year--the highest figure in recent memory, according to national crime monitoring organizations. Authorities continue to search for solutions to restore safety and stability in the face of complex security challenges posed by transnational criminal networks.