As per reports, as of Thursday (13 November), Ecuador is preparing for a national referendum on Sunday (16 November) to decide whether United States military facilities may be re-established on Ecuadorian territory.
• The proposal concerns the potential reopening of the Manta and Salinas sites, which previously hosted United States Air Force operations until their closure following Ecuador’s 2008 Constitution.
• The Ecuadorian government has raised the issue in the context of rising security concerns and efforts to counter drug trafficking networks operating in the eastern Pacific.
• United States Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited both locations on 05 November 2025 to assess their current condition and potential operational value.
• Ecuadorian Presidential spokesperson Carolina Jaramillo stated that both facilities could be considered for renewed United States use, depending on the outcome of the referendum.
• The development coincides with the United States administration’s emphasis on international anti drug cooperation, which includes maritime operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
• As per reports, recent United States operations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks have resulted in at least sixty-seven fatalities in international waters.
• Ecuador continues to face rising security challenges linked to organised crime, which have influenced national discussions on foreign military support.
• The referendum result will determine whether the government proceeds with negotiations, allowing United States forces to operate from Ecuadorian territory again.
