Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa at an official event giving tactical vehicles to the Ecuadorian Army. Photo: Presidencia Ecuador.
By Pablo Meriguet – Feb 20, 2025
On February 19, the Communication Secretariat of the Presidency stated that the government of the right-wing Daniel Noboa “proposes, temporarily and in the context of the war declared against narcoterrorism, the incorporation of special forces from allied countries to support and strengthen the actions of the Armed Forces and the National Police. In this sense, President Noboa ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to…make the approaches to coordinate efforts and establish cooperation agreements for this purpose.”
According to article 5 of the Ecuadorian Constitution, “Ecuador is a territory of peace. The establishment of foreign military bases or foreign installations for military purposes will not be allowed.”
Several decades ago, the Ecuadorian right-wing sought to reform this article to again allow the establishment of foreign military bases and the incursion of military troops into Ecuador.
Noboa’s support for foreign military bases
Daniel Noboa, who is himself a US citizen in addition to being Ecuadorian, has expressed on several occasions his desire to reform the constitution for the entry of foreign military bases. For this very reason, the aforementioned official communiqué concludes, “In this context, the National Assembly is urged to pronounce itself on this and other initiatives, such as the partial reform of article 5 of the Constitution that seeks to eliminate the prohibition of establishing foreign military bases in the country.”
It could very well be that this is one more maneuver in the ongoing electoral campaign. However, it is evident that Noboa genuinely has, as one of his central objectives, the entry of foreign troops into the country. The statement has been applauded by the most reactionary sectors of the country, who for several decades have been requesting the re-entry of the US military, supposedly to diminish the power of criminal gangs. A few weeks ago, the government already allowed the entry of US vessels and military groups to the Galápagos Islands. Hence, it is no surprise that Noboa insists on undermining the sovereign spirit of Article 5 of the Constitution, thus allowing more US military influence in Ecuador.
However, the communiqué does not speak exclusively or specifically of the entry of US troops. So, a model similar to that of Haiti could be repeated, according to which troops from third countries enter national territories with serious internal conflicts and thus seek to “pacify” the society, while wealthy countries finance the expeditions without risking their soldiers.
In the face of Noboa’s announcement which has been described as surrendering and unpatriotic, progressive presidential candidate Luisa González expressed that the solution to the increase in crime should be different, namely, the reinforcement of the police and military forces: “Our Police and Armed Forces face crime without equipment or support. Now, the government admits its failure and seeks outside help, instead of strengthening those who give their lives for our security. Before looking outside, let them answer what they have done for those who protect us. True leadership is demonstrated at home.”
January 2025 saw record-breaking violent murders
One of the most pressing concerns for Ecuadorians is security. Ecuador went from being a country that had some, albeit limited, security problems, such as assaults, home robberies, etc., to a country plunged into insecurity. As a result of their increasingly relevant role in the distribution of cocaine and other drugs to markets in the global north, the power of criminal gangs dedicated to drug trafficking, extortion, arms sales, contract killings, etc., has increased.
Before 2019, the number of violent deaths never exceeded 1,000. However, after the internal war between the criminal gangs started, violent deaths began to spike in a frightening way.
| Year | Violent Deaths |
| 2016 | 959 |
| 2017 | 972 |
| 2018 | 994 |
| 2019 | 1,187 |
| 2020 | 1,372 |
| 2021 | 2,464 |
| 2022 | 4,015 |
| 2023 | 8,004 |
| 2024 | 6,847 |
These are figures that no Ecuadorian would have expected just 10 years ago.
Although violent murders were reduced by 7% in 2024, Ecuador continues to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world. In 2023 (the most violent year in the country’s history) the rate of violent deaths was 47.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in 2024 it stood at 40.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease that the government of right-wing Daniel Noboa touts as a victory after it declared war on criminal gangs. However, the overall trend continues to fuel uncertainty about the future of the country. In 2024 alone, an average of 19 people were murdered every day in Ecuador, a country of about 18 million people.
A foreign military incursion is Noboa’s only plan to address the crisis
The government of Noboa, which is seeking reelection during the second round of elections against Luisa González, has not known how to respond to the sharp increase in violent deaths that occurred in January 2025: 750 were killed according to data from the National Police. In Manabí alone, one of the most turbulent provinces, violent crimes increased by 141% in 2024.
January has become the most violent month in the history of Ecuador. Most of the deaths are centered in the provinces of Guayas and Manabí (where Noboa lost in the last elections to candidate González). Before the horror and uncertainty of Ecuadorians, Noboa again “plays the card” of a purported incursion of foreign troops to alleviate the serious security crisis.
Time will tell if he finally achieves his goal or if, on the contrary, the sovereign and patriotic spirit prevails in thwarting his well-known ambitions.
