Ecuador Voters Reject Foreign Troops and New Constitution in Referendum Defeat for Noboa

Overview

• With most votes counted, electoral authorities reported about 61% against allowing foreign troops and 62% against convening a constituent assembly.
• President Daniel Noboa conceded and said he respects the popular will after the results showed a clear trend.
• The mandatory referendum posed four questions, also asking about ending public financing for parties and reducing the size of congress.
• The vote followed a surge in violence, including 4,619 homicides in the first half of 2025, as Noboa sought closer security cooperation with the United States and possible base access at sites such as Manta.
• Minutes after polls opened, Noboa announced the arrest in Spain of Wilmer “Pipo” Chavarría, whom he described as the leader of the Los Lobos gang.