Voters in Ecuador Say “No” to Foreign Military Bases

Intermediate | December 2, 2025

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Ecuador Rejects Return of Foreign Military Bases — Ecuador foreign bases

On November 16, 2025, voters in Ecuador overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to allow foreign military bases on their soil. Nearly 61% of voters said “No” to the plan, as ballots showed close to 90% counted. (Reuters)

Background: Why Was This Vote Important?

The vote came as part of a broader referendum covering constitutional changes, political‑party funding, and a possible restructure of the legislature. The military‑base question aimed to reverse a constitutional ban enacted in 2008. (Wikipedia)

Public Concerns and Historical Memory

For many Ecuadorians, the idea of foreign troops on their soil raised serious concerns about national sovereignty. People recalled that foreign presence — especially at a former base in Manta — had previously been linked to controversial incidents, including reports of abuse and social disruption. (Al Jazeera)

Rising Crime vs. Sovereignty Concerns

Even though Ecuador has suffered a surge in violent crime — including drug‑trafficking violence — many voters preferred relying on their own armed forces rather than inviting foreign troops back. (Reuters)

This result marks a setback for the government’s handling of Ecuador foreign bases, showing how strongly voters opposed the idea.

This result marks a setback for President Daniel Noboa, who had argued that foreign bases would help his government tackle organized crime.

Vocabulary

Referendum (noun) – a public vote in which citizens decide on a specific political question.
Example: “Ecuador held a referendum to let citizens vote on military bases.”
Overwhelmingly (adverb) – by a very large amount or margin.
Example: “The measure was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.”
Proposal (noun) – a plan or suggestion, especially a political or legislative one.
Example: “The proposal to allow foreign bases was unpopular among voters.”
Ban (noun) – an official or legal prohibition.
Example: “Ecuador’s constitution had a ban on foreign military bases since 2008.”
Setback (noun) – a reversal or check in progress; a defeat.
Example: “The referendum result was a major setback for the president.”
Sovereignty (noun) – the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
Example: “Many voters cited concerns about national sovereignty as their reason to vote no.”
Controversial (adjective) – giving rise or likely to give rise to disagreement or public debate.
Example: “The foreign base proposal was controversial among many Ecuadorians.”
Violence (noun) – behavior involving physical force intended to hurt or damage.
Example: “Ecuador has seen increasing violence linked to drug trafficking.”
Trafficking (noun) – the action of dealing or trading in something illegal.
Example: “Drug trafficking has put Ecuador under pressure.”
Presence (noun) – the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present.
Example: “Many rejected the foreign military presence due to past abuses.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why did Ecuadorian voters reject the return of foreign military bases?
What historical or social factors influenced distrust of foreign military presence?
How did public safety concerns play into this decision?
What does the referendum result mean for President Noboa’s security plans?
Do you think this rejection will affect regional cooperation on fighting drug trafficking?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do foreign military bases help reduce crime, or do they threaten local sovereignty?
What are the trade‑offs for countries considering foreign security forces?
How important is national sovereignty compared to security?
Can a country rely only on domestic forces to fight organized crime effectively?
Does public opinion matter more than government proposals when national security is involved?

Related Idiom

“Better safe than sorry” – it’s wiser to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks.
Example: Ecuadorians may have felt it was “better safe than sorry” when rejecting foreign bases.

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This article was inspired by: Reuters, Al Jazeera.