Ecuadorians delivered a sweeping rejection of President Daniel Noboa’s agenda on Sunday, voting down a proposal that would have allowed foreign nations to operate military bases inside the country and rejecting a push to begin a process that could lead to a new constitution.
According to The Associated Press, both measures were part of a four-part referendum, and both were defeated by wide margins. Six in 10 voters opposed opening the door to a constitutional rewrite, dealing a significant political setback to Noboa, a conservative closely aligned with the Trump administration.
After the results were announced, Noboa responded on X, saying his government would “respect the will of the people” and pledged to continue fighting for the country that “everyone deserves.”
Andrea Endara, a political science professor at Casa Grande University, said the outcome amounted to a “shower of humility” for the 37-year-old president. She argued that the vote reflected growing frustration among Ecuadorians.
“Those who voted against the proposals are not just opposition activists, but people who are worried with democratic stability, and who are upset with a government that has not fulfilled promises” such as keeping gas prices low and improving public safety, she said.
The defeat comes as Ecuador faces a wave of violent crime linked to drug trafficking. The country of 18 million has become a key corridor for cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru, with criminal groups battling for control of ports and coastal regions. Politicians, journalists, and local leaders have been targeted in the escalating conflict.
Noboa has increasingly sought support from the United States, recently meeting with U.S. officials to discuss security cooperation. He also gave U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a tour of a coastal military base that could potentially host American troops.
“International cooperation is the only way to dismantle these (drug trafficking) groups, which are transnational criminal networks,” Noboa said after casting his ballot.
The president had argued that Ecuador’s current constitution does not give the government sufficient tools to fight criminal organizations. Since returning to democracy in 1979, Ecuador has adopted three constitutions, and Noboa insisted it was time to “rebuild” the nation once again.
The referendum also asked voters whether Ecuador should create a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution. Opponents warned that such a move could jeopardize democratic safeguards and would not address urgent problems such as rising insecurity or limited access to healthcare and education.
Two additional measures sought to cut public funding for political parties and reduce the size of the National Assembly from 151 members to 73. Voters rejected both proposals. Noboa argued they would reduce excessive government spending, but critics warned the changes could undermine political representation, especially in low-income communities with fewer resources.
Sunday’s results underscore the growing political pressure on Noboa as he confronts rising violence and public frustration—now compounded by a clear message from voters unwilling to endorse his proposed restructuring of the state.
