Ecuador’s President Wants EU Military Bases to Help Fight Crime

Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, says he is working to bring European Union military bases to his country. He explained that Ecuador needs help from Europe because much of the cocaine leaving Ecuador ends up in European ports.

He believes that fighting drug trafficking and organized crime is too big a job for Ecuador alone. On June 3, 2025, Ecuador’s National Assembly approved a change to the country’s constitution that would allow foreign military bases.

This is a big shift, because Ecuador banned foreign bases in 2009. Before that, the United States had a military base in the city of Manta, which focused on stopping drug trafficking.

Ecuador is facing a serious security crisis. The murder rate is now the highest in Latin America. In the first half of 2024, more than 3,000 people were killed. Gangs have grown stronger and now control important ports and even influence government officials.

The government says there are at least 40,000 active gang members in the country. President Noboa has already asked for help from the United States and Israel. He has started building new military facilities that could host foreign troops.

He has also met with security experts from other countries to discuss ways to improve Ecuador’s security. Supporters of Noboa’s plan say that foreign military help would bring better technology, training, and intelligence.

They argue that Ecuador needs international support to stop powerful criminal groups. Critics worry that letting foreign troops in could threaten Ecuador’s independence and bring new problems.

The plan is not final yet. The Constitutional Court must approve the change, and Ecuadorians will vote on it in a national referendum. President Noboa is confident that most people will support the idea because they want to feel safe again.

If the plan goes ahead, it will be the first time in over 15 years that foreign soldiers are allowed to operate in Ecuador. The decision will have a big impact on how Ecuador fights crime and works with other countries in the future.