Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Ecuador votes on foreign military bases amid crime surge
Imagine Ecuador is like a house that used to be very safe, but now lots of strangers are coming through it with illegal things, making it feel dangerous.
The leader of Ecuador thinks that letting foreign soldiers use some bases in the country might help stop these bad guys.
He also thinks the country's rulebook, called the constitution, needs to be updated to help with this.
So, on Sunday, people in Ecuador are voting on two big things: Should foreign soldiers be allowed to have bases here again?
And should they get together to write a whole new rulebook?
Some people think this is a good idea to make the country safer.
But others worry that having foreign soldiers might lead to Ecuador becoming like a battleground for other countries' fights and that it might give up too much control over its own land.
They believe fixing the country's own systems for finding information about criminals is more important than inviting foreign help.
Ecuadorians are voting on Sunday regarding the return of foreign military bases and convening a constitutional assembly.
The country is experiencing a surge in violent crime and has become a significant drug transit hub.
President Daniel Noboa advocates for foreign bases as crucial for combating organized crime and revising the constitution.
Opponents express concerns about national sovereignty and argue for improved domestic intelligence infrastructure.
Drug seizures have decreased and violent deaths have increased in Ecuador recently.
- Who
- Ecuadoreans
- What
- voting on the return of foreign military bases and convening a constitutional assembly amid a surge in violent crime.
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Ecuador
- Why
- To address a significant increase in violent crime and drug trafficking, with proponents believing foreign military presence and constitutional reform are necessary, while opponents raise concerns about sovereignty and alternative solutions.
Proponents of Foreign Military Bases
Opponents of Foreign Military Bases
Effectiveness in Fighting Organized Crime
Proponents of Foreign Military Bases
President Daniel Noboa argues foreign military bases are central to fighting organized crime and that the current constitution needs revision to allow for expanded international cooperation. The Interior Minister pointed to a drop in drug seizures after the Manta base closed in 2009, implying its absence hindered interdiction efforts.
Opponents of Foreign Military Bases
Luis Cordova, a researcher, believes Ecuador needs better intelligence infrastructure rather than more cooperation, stating that the country lacks public management to address the problem. Jeronimo Ludena expressed concern that foreign bases could turn Ecuador into a 'war zone for the United States' ambitions' and mortgage the country's sovereignty.
Constitutional Revisions
Proponents of Foreign Military Bases
President Noboa believes the constitution, drafted under a former leftist president, must be revised to reflect the country's new reality and expand international cooperation in combating crime.
Opponents of Foreign Military Bases
Concerns exist that allowing foreign bases could infringe upon national sovereignty, with voters divided on whether to convene an assembly to rewrite the constitution.
- Context
- Ecuador, once safe, is now a drug transit hub facing a security crisis and economic strain.
- Referendum Date
- Sunday
- Key Issues
- Return of foreign military bases, convening a constitutional assembly.
- Manta Base History
- Hosted U.S. military for a decade until 2009, when foreign bases were constitutionally banned.
- Crime Statistics (Jan-Sep, Year not specified but implied recent)
- 146.4 metric tons of drugs seized (down from 208 tons in same period previous year); violent deaths rose over 36% year-on-year.
- International Cooperation
- U.S. has conducted strikes in Caribbean and Pacific resulting in over 70 deaths; Ecuador maintains aerial interception agreement with the U.S.