Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa on Sunday arrived at in Olón amid heavy security to vote in the referendum promoted by his government.

"There is nothing more democratic than asking the people directly about their future and what they want," said Noboa, who was accompanied by his wife and their children at the polling station at the Dr. Antonio Moya Primary School.

The president previously said he wanted to “refound the country” and is promoting reforms to the constitution, which has been in effect since 2008.

One of the most controversial questions among the public concerns the possibility of allowing or granting foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil for defense purposes.

The government views this measure as a key step in the fight against criminal gangs that, since early 2021, have unleashed a wave of violence in coordination with transnational drug cartels.

Noboa, an ally of the Trump administration, has said he would like to increase military cooperation with the United States, which ran a base near the city of Manta until its lease expired in 2009.

A constitution drafted in 2008 under leftist leader Rafael Correa made it illegal for foreign militaries to run bases in Ecuador.