Ecuador proposes US military return to tackle crime wave
The President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, has proposed the return of American troops to former bases in exchange for support in combating crime.
President Noboa has reached out to the former US President, Donald Trump, seeking assistance in tackling criminal gangs that are destabilising Ecuador. In return, he has offered the potential reopening of American military bases in Ecuador. The meeting between the two leaders occurred on 29th March at Trump's residence in Florida.
During the meeting, which took place before the second round of presidential elections in Ecuador, Noboa received assurances of support from Trump. This information was relayed by Annabela Azin, Noboa's mother and a member of the Ecuadorian parliament, at a press conference in Quito.
"We need this international assistance, and Daniel approached President Trump for it. He treated our migrants in the USA differently from those from other countries," said Azin.
The political background of the proposal
Noboa, who is campaigning against Lisa Gomez, a critic of reopening the bases, is seeking re-election. His proposal aims to enhance citizens' safety and garner support amid growing threats from drug cartels. Between 1999 and 2009, the United States maintained, among others, an airbase in Manta, Ecuador, which was closed following the adoption of a 2008 constitution prohibiting foreign military bases. This constitution was enacted during the presidency of Rafael Correa.
Following Noboa's proposal, the Trump administration removed Ecuadorians from the priority list for deportation. Noboa, born in 1987 in Miami, was one of the few Latin American presidents invited by Trump to his second-term inauguration.
