Ecuador Dares to Decline US Bases, Mainstream Media Shrugs
The DW piece notes a referendum proposal including the return of foreign military bases, which is 'losing in a partial count.' What it won't detail is the lengthy, and often violent, history of US military presence in Latin America. From the 1960s School of the Americas controversies training dictators, to accusations of meddling in sovereign affairs, the region has been a testing ground for
American strategic interests, often at the expense of local populations. Ecuador closed the Manta military base in 2009, a move championed by then-President Rafael Correa, explicitly citing a preference for national sovereignty over foreign military operations. Instead, we get a bland report on voting statistics. One might wonder if 'democracy' is only celebrated when it aligns with Washington's
geopolitical aspirations, as opposed to the will of the people saying 'no, thank you' to permanent American encampments. When does supporting a nation's choice become 'election interference' if the outcome isn't amenable?