No' vote leads in Ecuador referendum on hosting foreign military bases

"A referendum in Ecuador on the return of foreign military bases appears to be failing, with a partial count of more than a third of ballots showing 60 percent rejection of the proposal. A separate measure to convene an assembly to rewrite the constitution also has 61 percent rejection, according to the partial count on Sunday, with 36 percent of votes counted."

"Losses would be a blow to President Daniel Noboa, who had backed both measures, saying foreign cooperation, including shared or foreign bases within the country, is central to fighting organised crime in the country. He has also said that the current constitution, drafted under former leftist President Rafael Correa, must be revised to reflect the country's new reality. Ecuador banned foreign military bases on its soil in 2008."

"A No vote would likely block the United States military returning to the Manta airbase on the Pacific coast once a hub for Washington's anti-drug operations. Other questions posed to voters concern ending public funding for political parties and reducing the number of lawmakers. The early count showed those proposals failing, too."

A partial count with 36 percent of ballots shows 60 percent rejecting a proposal to host foreign military bases and 61 percent rejecting a measure to convene a constitutional assembly. A No outcome would likely block a return of the United States military to the Manta airbase; Ecuador banned foreign bases in 2008. Other referendum questions on ending public party funding and reducing lawmakers also trailed in early returns. The vote occurs amid unprecedented violence from drug trafficking gang turf wars. President Daniel Noboa, who championed the proposals and backed US airstrikes and tougher security measures, faces a political setback.

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