Quito: Ecuadorians have decisively rejected a national referendum seeking to lift the constitutional ban on foreign military bases, delivering a major blow to President Daniel Noboa’s security agenda. The proposal, which aimed to allow foreign armed forces to operate military installations on Ecuadorian soil, was defeated with nearly two-thirds of voters marking a firm “no,” according to results released with more than 80 percent of the ballots counted.
The referendum had been pitched as a crucial step in strengthening Ecuador’s fight against escalating drug-fueled violence. President Noboa argued that partnering with international military forces would bring advanced surveillance, intelligence support, and logistical capabilities that Ecuador currently struggles to maintain. However, voters remained unconvinced, signaling strong resistance to foreign military presence and reaffirming a long-standing national preference for full sovereignty in security matters.
The rejection marks a clear rebuke to the government’s broader security narrative. Ecuador, once considered one of Latin America’s calmest nations, has seen a sharp rise in violence as drug cartels and transnational gangs use its ports as trafficking gateways. Noboa hoped foreign bases could serve as a force multiplier against these networks. Yet many critics argued that allowing foreign troops would not solve deep-rooted issues such as weakened institutions, underfunded police forces, and porous borders. The debate over sovereignty ultimately overshadowed the government’s security warnings.
Alongside the military-base proposal, voters also rejected a second measure seeking to convene a constituent assembly to rewrite the national constitution. More than 61 percent voted against the idea, dealing a second setback to Noboa, who insisted that structural constitutional changes were needed to modernize the state’s ability to confront organized crime. The double defeat significantly diminishes the political momentum he hoped to gather from the referendum.
The question of foreign military bases carries historical weight in Ecuador. The country’s 2008 constitution, drafted under former president Rafael Correa, explicitly prohibits foreign armed forces from establishing military bases within Ecuador. The memory of the U.S. military facility in Manta which shut down in 2009 after intense national debate remains a powerful reference point for many citizens skeptical of foreign intervention. Although Ecuador’s legislature had already approved the constitutional amendment earlier this year, the final decision rested in the hands of voters.
Political reactions to the results were swift. Noboa’s critics, including Correa, hailed the outcome as a victory for national sovereignty and a reaffirmation of the public’s attachment to the 2008 constitution. Supporters of the president, meanwhile, expressed frustration that the country had missed what they described as an opportunity to strengthen its response to transnational crime. With drug violence continuing to rise, analysts say the government will now need to recalibrate its security approach, relying more heavily on domestic reforms and regional cooperation without external military installations.
The referendum results underscore a powerful message from Ecuadorian voters: while they recognize the severity of the country’s security crisis, they are unwilling to compromise on sovereignty or reopen the door to foreign military presence. The Noboa administration now faces the challenge of restoring political footing and rebuilding trust as it confronts a rapidly evolving security landscape.