Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Ecuadorians Reject Foreign Military Bases, Institutional Reforms
Ecuadorians had two big decisions to make on Sunday.
First, they were asked if other countries could set up military bases in their country.
Most people said 'no' because they want to keep their country independent and handle their own problems.
Second, they were asked if they wanted a special group to write a whole new rulebook for the country.
Most people said 'no' to this too, suggesting they are happy with the current rules.
The President thought the bases would help fight crime, but many people disagreed and he accepted their decision.
Ecuadorians voted against allowing foreign military bases in the nation.
Nearly 60% of voters rejected lifting the constitutional ban on foreign military bases.
A proposal to convene a new constitution-drafting assembly was also rejected by similar margins.
President Daniel Noboa's security agenda, which included support for foreign bases, faced a significant setback.
The referendum results indicate public resistance to wide-ranging institutional reforms.
- Who
- Ecuadorian voters and President Daniel Noboa
- What
- Voted against proposals to allow foreign military bases and to convene a new constitution-drafting assembly.
- When
- Sunday, November 16
- Where
- Ecuador
- Why
- Voters rejected the proposals, reflecting public resistance to wide-ranging institutional reforms and prioritizing national sovereignty over foreign military cooperation, despite the president's arguments for security cooperation.
No
Yes
Allowing Foreign Military Bases
No
Voters rejected lifting the constitutional ban on foreign military bases, emphasizing national sovereignty and domestic solutions to crime.
Yes
President Noboa argued that foreign bases were essential for intelligence sharing and counter-narcotics surveillance to combat escalating drug-related violence.
Convening a New Constitution-Drafting Assembly
No
The proposal to convene an assembly to rewrite the constitution was rejected by similar margins, indicating public resistance to wide-ranging institutional reforms.
Yes
This proposal was part of broader institutional reforms supported by President Noboa.
- Referendum Date
- Sunday, November 16
- Proposal 1
- Allowing foreign military bases
- Rejection Rate (Proposal 1)
- Nearly 60%
- Proposal 2
- Convening a new constitution-drafting assembly
- Rejection Rate (Proposal 2)
- Similar margins to Proposal 1 (over 61%)
- Previous US Military Presence
- Forward Operating Location in Manta (1999-2009)