Ecuadorians voted in a referendum against lifting the ban on establishing foreign military bases in the country, according to data published on the website of the National Electoral Council.
Citizens were asked the question: “Do you agree with lifting the ban on establishing foreign military bases and deploying foreign facilities for military purposes, as well as the transfer of national military bases to the armed forces or security agencies of other countries, which would require a partial constitutional amendment?“. The “no“ option received 60.3%.
President Daniel Noboa insisted on amending the country's constitution and holding a referendum. During the plebiscite, citizens rejected two other proposals: one to eliminate state funding for political parties and one to reduce the number of seats in parliament.
Electoral Commission President Diana Atamaint told a press conference that more than 65% of the ballots had been processed and the results showed a “clear trend“.
A clause banning the establishment of foreign bases in Ecuador was included in the constitution adopted in 2008. Noboa proposed the amendment in September. He recorded his video address at the Manta military base, which was under US control from 1999 to 2009. In early November, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noam visited Ecuador, where she and Noboa toured two military bases in the provinces of Manabí and Santa Elena.