• Ecuadorian voters rejected the return of US military bases in a recent referendum.
• About 60% of participants opposed lifting the constitutional ban on foreign military bases.
• The result is a significant political defeat for President Daniel Noboa, who advocated for the measure.
• Other proposals in the referendum, including constitutional changes, also faced rejection.
• Ecuador's homicide rate has soared, driving the government to seek international military support.

Ecuadorian voters have overwhelmingly rejected the return of foreign military bases in a referendum held on November 16, which is a major political blow to President Daniel Noboa. Early results indicate that about 60% of voters opposed lifting the ban on foreign military bases that has been in place since 2008, effectively blocking any US military return to the Manta airbase, formerly used for anti-drug operations, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The referendum was accompanied by queries on various issues, such as a proposed rewrite of the constitution and changes to political party funding. With nearly three-quarters of the ballots counted, both the military bases proposal and a proposal to convene an assembly to revise the constitution faced significant rejection, with a partial count showing 61% against the latter, according to Reuters and BBC.

President Noboa's administration has sought to connect the measure to the prevalence of organized crime in Ecuador, which has transformed into a major drug trafficking corridor. His approach has included deploying military forces in response to an alarming spike in violence, with over 4,600 recorded murders in the first half of this year, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Supporters of Noboa argue that a partnership with the US is crucial for tackling the drug crisis, while critics warn the military approach risks further authoritarianism. The votes against the foreign military bases signal a lack of confidence in his methods and a desire for national sovereignty among a section of the electorate, as noted by political analysts, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The referendum also rejected measures aimed at modifying the constitution and the political structure of the Congress, with many voters dissatisfied with Noboa's policies and handling of recent protests over economic issues, including a controversial diesel subsidy cancellation, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.