Residents of Ecuador have overwhelmingly rejected the expansion of a U.S. military base in a constitutional referendum held on Sunday. The vote comes as the U.S. military’s operations in Latin American waters continue to create unrest in the region.
The referendum, conducted in the city of Guayaquil, marked a significant moment in Ecuador’s foreign policy, reflecting the nation’s desire to maintain sovereignty over its territorial waters and airspace. The results have been met with celebration by Ecuadorian citizens, who have long expressed concerns about the presence of foreign military forces in their country.