Sawt Falasteen - Ecuador votes on hosting foreign bases as Noboa eyes more powers

Nearly 14 million Ecuadorans are eligible to cast ballots on four questions that will decide how the country tackles rampant drug violence and addresses economic reforms.

The South American nation banned foreign military bases on its soil in 2008.

But with a "Yes" vote on Sunday, which pre-election polling showed as likely, the US military could potentially return to the Manta airbase on the Pacific coast -- once a hub for Washington's anti-drug operations.

"It is the only way to toughen the laws a bit and put an end to the insecurity our country is experiencing," Teresa Jacome, 60, told AFP in the crime-ridden largest city of Guayaquil.

Other questions posed to voters concern ending public funding for political parties, reducing the number of lawmakers, and creating an elected body that would draft a new constitution.

Polls will close at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT).

The vote is taking place amid unprecedented violence sparked by turf wars and side hustles of drug trafficking gangs, a scourge which Noboa has vowed to tackle with a firm hand.

It also comes as the US military conducts a series of airstrikes against alleged drug smuggling boats, a divisive policy from President Donald Trump that Noboa has backed.

In office since November 2023, Noboa has deployed soldiers on the streets and in prisons, launched dramatic raids on drug strongholds, and declared frequent states of emergency -- criticized by human rights groups.

The 37-year-old millionaire has also posted images of hundreds of inmates, their head shaves, in orange uniforms being moved to a new mega-prison, echoing moves by El Salvador's Nayib Bukele.

Still, in the first half of this year, there were 4,619 murders -- the "highest in recent history," according to Ecuador's Organized Crime Observatory.

Just as voting began, Noboa announced that the leader of the country's most notorious gang, Los Lobos, had been captured.

The most-wanted drug kingpin known as "Pipo" had "faked his death, changed his identity and hid in Europe," Noboa said on X.

Interior Minister John Reimberg later said "Pipo" had been detained in Spain in a joint operation between Ecuadoran and Spanish police.

- Controversial US strikes -

Once much safer, Ecuador now has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America, and many would like to give Noboa freer rein.

The prospect of aiding Trump's deadly air campaign against alleged drug trafficking boats will be on some voters' minds.

Many Latin American governments are opposed, but Ecuador has become one of Washington's top champions in the region.

Noboa has asked for Trump's help in tackling cartels and floated the idea of US bases returning to Ecuadoran soil.

Regarding the other questions on the ballot, Noboa says the current constitution, at 400-plus articles, is too long and has "many errors."

But he has been coy about what parts of the constitution he would like to change, leading to allegations he wants to consolidate power and curb rights.

The body to draft a new constitution would likely be dominated by Noboa's allies, given his approval rating of around 56 percent.

Noboa, the Porsche-driving son of a banana tycoon, also aims to reshape the state and economic model to give more space to the private sector.

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST