Foreign military bases rejected by Ecuador voters
People in Ecuador have voted against allowing the return of foreign military bases in the South American country. This, the BBC reports, has frustrated American “hopes of expanding its presence in the eastern Pacific region.”
The referendum result is also contrary to the wishes of the country’s president, Daniel Noboa, who campaigned to alter the constitution and reverse the ban that was passed in 2008. He argued that it would help in the battle against organised crime and help cut down the rising violence in the country. Washington had hoped that the referendum on foreign military bases would open the door to its own base there, 16 years after it had to close a site on the country’s Pacific coast.
Ecuador does not produce cocaine but its ports and close proximity to both Colombia and Peru where the drug is made in large quantities, result in it being a popular location for drug-trafficking gangs. Noboa says that 70% of the planet’s cocaine passes through Ecuador. His time in office has seen a tough military crackdown on criminal gangs, including with armed soldiers on the country’s streets.
His supports say that this approach has helped to tackle crime but critics warn that the government has used authoritarian methods.
The former American military base closed after then-president, the left-wing Rafael Correa, opted not to renew its lease, pushing for a constitutional ban. US Homeland Secretary Kirsti Noem recently toured military facilities in Ecuador with Noboa.
The Ecuadorian leader told BBC that he wanted foreign armies to join what he referred to has a “war” against drug-trafficking groups, having recently held discussions with American officials over increased security and migration co-operation.
The referendum also resulted in voters rejecting an end to public funding for political parties, shrinking congress’ size, and establishing a constitutional assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution.
A fresh constitution, Noboa argued, would allow for stricter punishments for criminals and better measures to secure the borders. But critics say it would do little to tackle the other issues in the country including insecurity and limited access in some areas to healthcare and education.
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