Ecuador Rejects Foreign Military Bases in Referendum

Overview

• The electoral authority announced that the proposal to reestablish foreign bases failed, stopping any U.S. resumption at the coastal city of Manta.
• Voters also rejected three measures to create a constitution-drafting body, abolish public party financing, and cut the number of legislators.
• With more than three-quarters of ballots counted, 60.5% voted no on allowing foreign bases, officials said.
• President Daniel Noboa acknowledged the result on X, calling it the will of the Ecuadorean people.
• The vote took place during a severe security crisis and stepped-up U.S. interdiction strikes that have killed more than 80 people, as Noboa highlighted the recent arrest in Spain of Los Lobos leader “Pipo” Chavarría.