Overview
- Balloting is underway nationwide on a four-question referendum tied to President Daniel Noboa’s anti-crime agenda, with voting compulsory for most adults and nearly 14 million eligible.
- Polling forecasts a Yes outcome, with Cedatos projecting more than 61% support for allowing foreign military bases.
- Approval would lift a 2008 ban on foreign bases and could enable a U.S. return to the Manta airbase once used for anti-drug operations.
- Voters also decide on creating a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution, with delegate elections next year if authorized, as critics warn of weakened oversight of the presidency.
- As polls opened, authorities announced the detention in Spain of Los Lobos leader “Pipo” in a joint operation, highlighting a security crisis that saw 4,619 murders in the year’s first half.