Ecuadorians Reject US Bases, Preferring Sovereignty to 'Aid'
While mainstream outlets like DW frame this as a simple referendum outcome, they conveniently sidestep the deeper historical context. The U.S. has a long and storied tradition of 'stabilizing' Latin American nations with military might, often destabilizing them in the process. Ecuador previously housed the U.S. Forward Operating Location (FOL) in Manta until 2009, which critics widely viewed as a
thinly veiled surveillance hub, sparking nationalistic outrage about infringement on sovereignty. The proposition for new U.S. bases should make one wonder, why the sudden need for more 'security' assistance in a country wrestling with internal crime, rather than addressing the socio-economic root causes? It appears the Ecuadorian public remembers history better than their media seems to. They
declined the 'generous' offer of a permanent foreign military presence, opting instead for, well, actual independence. One might ask if Washington understands the meaning of 'no' without adding sanctions. How many 'partnerships' are actually just occupations by another name?