Ecuador is conducting a referendum to determine whether to lift a constitutional ban on foreign military bases, as President Daniel Noboa seeks assistance from the United States to combat rising drug-related violence. Nearly 14 million voters participated in the referendum, which also includes a proposal to reduce the number of lawmakers.
Ecuador is currently facing a surge in violence, with a projected homicide rate of 50 per 100,000 people in 2023, the highest in Latin America. Opinion polls indicate that over 61 percent of voters support the re-establishment of foreign military bases, potentially allowing the US to return to the Manta airbase on the Pacific coast. The US operated out of Manta from 1999 to 2009 for anti-narcotics initiatives until a constitutional ban was enacted following a referendum during Rafael Correa’s presidency.
The recent rise in violence is attributed to drug cartels, particularly those from Mexico, exploiting porous borders and weak government institutions. Since taking office in November 2023, Noboa has implemented a militarized approach to security, involving the deployment of soldiers in public spaces, prison operations, and the declaration of states of emergency. The first half of this year recorded 4,619 murders, the highest on record, according to Ecuador’s Organized Crime Observatory.
On the eve of the referendum, Noboa announced the arrest of Wilmer Geovanny Chavarria Barre, the leader of the Los Lobos gang, who had fled to Spain after faking his death. Chavarria is linked to over 400 killings and had maintained criminal operations while incarcerated until 2019. The US designated both Los Lobos and Los Choneros, another criminal group in Ecuador, as “terrorist” organizations in September.
Critics question the effectiveness of military intervention alone to resolve systemic issues. Former President Correa has voiced opposition to foreign military presence, arguing for strengthened national governance instead. The referendum also addresses the establishment of a constituent assembly, which raises concerns from opposition factions about potential power consolidation by Noboa. Ecuador’s evolving role as a major cocaine transit hub, following Colombia’s 2016 peace deal, further complicates the security landscape.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/16/ecuador-votes-on-return-of-us-military-bases-to-tackle-drug-violence?traffic_source=rss