Ecuador’s Referendum on Foreign Military Bases: A Test of Sovereignty and Security

In a bold and controversial step, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has initiated a referendum asking citizens whether to remove the constitutional ban on foreign military bases, such as the U.S. installation once located in Manta until 2009. This decision arrives amid escalating concerns over organized crime but also opens the door to renewed foreign military presence that must be scrutinized from the perspective of national sovereignty and America First principles. Why Is Ecuador Revisiting a Ban That Safeguarded Its Sovereignty? The prohibition against foreign military installations was enshrined in Ecuador’s 2008 Constitution under Rafael Correa, reflecting a commitment to national...