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2h ago

Ecuador Rejects Foreign Military Bases and Constitutional Rewrite in Referendum

The result preserves a 2008 ban on foreign bases, signaling resistance to sweeping changes linked to President Daniel Noboa’s security agenda.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, accompanied by his family, votes in a referendum on whether to allow foreign military bases in the country and rewrite the constitution through a constituent assembly, in Olon, Ecuador, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)
A man votes in a referendum to decide whether to allow the return of foreign military bases, which Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa says are central to fighting organized crime, and whether they back convening an assembly to rewrite the constitution, in Guayaquil, Ecuador November 16, 2025. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos
People participate in the vote counting process during a referendum to decide whether to allow the return of foreign military bases, which Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa says are central to fighting organized crime, and whether they back convening an assembly to rewrite the constitution, in Quito, Ecuador November 16, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shakes hands with Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa at Eloy Alfaro Air Base as flags are adjusted behind them, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Manta, Ecuador.

Overview

  • Early official tallies show roughly 60% voted against allowing foreign military bases and about 61% opposed convening a constituent assembly.
  • President Daniel Noboa acknowledged the results and said he would continue confronting organized crime with the tools currently available.
  • The outcome blocks any U.S. return to the Manta airbase, which hosted American counter‑narcotics operations from 1999 to 2009.
  • Other proposals on the ballot to end public funding for political parties and to reduce the number of lawmakers were also failing in the early count.
  • The vote followed a sharp rise in drug‑related violence, and on election day authorities announced the capture in Spain of Los Lobos leader “Pipo.”