Ecuador's Big Vote: Security or Sovereignty?

Ecuador is facing a tough choice. On Sunday, people will vote on two big issues: letting foreign military bases come back and changing the country's constitution. The main reason? Crime is up, and the government thinks foreign help could make things better. Ecuador used to be safe, but now it's a big spot for drug trafficking. This has made the country less safe and hurt its economy. The president, Daniel Noboa, wants to change the constitution to make it easier to work with other countries on crime. He says the current rules, made when Rafael Correa was president, don't fit today's problems. The U. S. has been helping Ecuador fight drugs and stop illegal immigration. They've even carried out strikes on suspected drug ships. But not everyone is happy about this. Some people worry that letting foreign military bases back in could mean giving up some control over the country. There are also concerns about how well this will work. Some experts say Ecuador needs better ways to gather information and manage the problem, not just more foreign help. Others worry about the country's independence. They don't want Ecuador to become a place for other countries to fight their battles. The vote is split. Most people seem to want to change the constitution, but they're not sure about the military bases. The government says even if people vote no, they still have plans to fight crime. They've already made deals with the U. S. for joint operations and drug seizures. In the past, when the U. S. had a base in Manta, drug seizures were higher. But some people think the bases are more about politics than safety. They believe Ecuador should focus on fixing its own problems first. Crime is a big issue. Drug seizures are down, but violent deaths are up. The country is trying to find the best way to handle this crisis. The vote on Sunday could shape Ecuador's future.