The study reveals a majority trend toward voting “No” on the question regarding foreign installations, even though the president is confident and even met with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at potential sites for the bases.
Forty-three percent of those surveyed in October oppose the president’s proposal, while 38 percent are in favor, and 17 percent are undecided.
Those who oppose the proposal cite the implications for national sovereignty, the risk of becoming involved in international conflicts, and distrust of the United States.
On the other hand, those who support the presence of foreign troops state that they do so because of internal insecurity in Ecuador and the need for logistical and military cooperation.
On Wednesday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Noem arrived in Ecuador through the city of Manta, in the province of Manabi, on her second official visit to the Andean nation in less than three months.
This time, her agenda focused on evaluating potential sites for military bases.
President Noboa and Noem met behind closed doors, and no statements were made to the press. It is precisely in Manta, at the site where the U.S. representative met with Noboa and other Quito officials on Wednesday, that a U.S. Southern Command military base was closed 16 years ago.
