In a decisive referendum held on Sunday, Ecuador citizens overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil.

Early counts show nearly two-thirds of ballots cast opposed the measure. Ecuador President Daniel Noboa had introduced the referendum arguing that foreign cooperation such as hosting bases for allied nations was essential to combat issues such as drug-trafficking violence.

The rejection represents a significant setback for Noboa and his broader security agenda, revealing public scepticism of foreign military solutions. It also raises questions about how Ecuador will confront organized crime without expanded foreign-military and foreign-intelligence mechanisms.

Ecuador has in recent years become a major tr

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