Ecuador Votes to Block Return of Foreign Military Bases, Delivering Setback to President Noboa

Voters Reject Return of Foreign Military Bases

Voters in Ecuador decisively rejected a referendum question on restoring foreign military bases, early counts showed, with nearly 90% of ballots tallied and almost two-thirds voting no on the proposal. The outcome is a political setback for President Daniel Noboa, who had argued that foreign cooperation — including shared or foreign bases on Ecuadorian soil — is essential to tackling organised crime.

Another referendum item to convene a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution was also rejected by more than 61% of voters, with roughly 88% of ballots counted for that question. Additional measures to cut public funding for political parties and reduce the size of the National Assembly from 151 to 73 members also trailed badly in early counts.

The result prevents the United States military from returning to the Manta airbase on Ecuador's Pacific coast, a facility that previously served as a hub for U.S. anti‑drug operations. Ecuador officially banned foreign military bases in 2008.

Context and Reactions

The referendum took place amid a surge in drug‑related violence: Ecuador has become an important transit route for cocaine from Colombia and Peru, and criminal groups have attacked politicians, mayors and journalists while fighting for control of ports and coastal cities. The vote coincided with U.S. military air strikes against suspected drug‑smuggling boats — a contentious policy of President Donald Trump that Noboa has publicly supported.

“We respect the will of the Ecuadorian people,” Noboa wrote on X after acknowledging the defeat. “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.”

Many voters and observers cited national sovereignty and negative memories of the earlier foreign presence as reasons for opposing the return of foreign bases. On‑the‑ground accounts and critics have alleged past abuses when foreign troops were present, including incidents involving local fishermen and social disruptions near base towns.

Despite the referendum loss, Ecuador and the United States maintain operational security ties: Noboa ratified agreements for joint military operations last year, and the two countries have an aerial interception pact used to interdict drugs and weapons at sea. U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, recently visited military facilities in Manta and Salinas with Ecuadorian counterparts.

Security developments

As voting began, Noboa announced the capture of the leader of the gang Los Lobos. The most‑wanted kingpin known as “Pipo,” who allegedly faked his death and fled to Europe, was reportedly detained in Spain in a joint operation between Ecuadorian and Spanish police, Interior Minister John Reimberg said.

Since assuming office in November 2023, Noboa has deployed soldiers to streets and prisons, launched major raids on suspected drug strongholds, and repeatedly declared states of emergency. Still, Ecuador’s Organized Crime Observatory recorded 4,619 murders in the first half of the year — a recent high point that underscores the security challenges the country faces.