Ecuador’s president is pushing for new constitutional reform to return foreign military bases in the country

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, September 2024 Photo: EFE

September 16, 2024 Time: 7:11 PM

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced his intention to push for a constitutional reform that would allow the return of foreign military bases to the country. This initiative aims to amend Article 5 of the Constitution, which has prohibited the presence of foreign military installations on Ecuadorian territory since 2008.

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According to the official document, this initiative is a response to the growing threat of transnational organized crime that Ecuador is facing. The government argues that a “strong response at national and international levels” is needed to effectively combat this challenge.

The reform project specifically seeks to “lift the ban on the creation of foreign military bases or facilities for military purposes.” In addition, it proposes to lift the restriction on the transfer of Ecuadorian military bases to armed forces or security forces of other countries.

According to the communiqué, the revised version of Article 5 of the Constitution would simply state that “Ecuador is a territory of peace.”

The government argues that past decisions have left the country vulnerable to current threats that transcend borders. “From the government, we have made it very clear what kind of country we want. It is time for the National Assembly to decide on which side of history it will be,” the presidential statement said.

President Noboa then posted a message on X from Manta, where a US base was located between 1999 and 2009. In this message he reiterated: “In a transnational conflict we need a national and international response.”

Noboa’s proposal recalls the US base that operated for ten years in Manta, Manabí province. However, the legislative process for this reform is long and complex.

The project will have to overcome several procedural obstacles in the National Assembly. First, it will need the approval of the Legislative Council (CAL). Then, it will be referred to the Security Committee, where two successive reports will be drawn up. Finally, the draft will be discussed in plenary.

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