Particle.news
Download on the App Store
19 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Ecuador Voters Reject Foreign Military Bases, Dealing Blow to Noboa

Voters sent a sovereignty-first message that blocks a potential U.S. return to Manta.

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

  • Official tallies show roughly 60% voted against lifting the constitutional ban on foreign military bases.
  • All four government-backed proposals failed, including a constituent assembly, cuts to party funding, and a smaller legislature, defying pre‑vote polls that predicted approval.
  • President Daniel Noboa acknowledged the outcome after arguing that foreign cooperation was necessary to confront transnational drug gangs.
  • The result halts any move to restore U.S. counter‑narcotics operations at the Manta airbase despite recent high-level visits and discussions.
  • Ecuador’s security crisis framed the vote, with 4,619 murders recorded in the first half of the year and authorities announcing the Spain arrest of Los Lobos leader “Pipo.”