The United States is looking to expand its presence in Ecuador — but only if Ecuadorians agree. This week, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem arrived in the South American nation to explore the possibility of establishing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices at “strategic facilities,” pending the results of a national referendum on November 16.

If approved, the move would lift Ecuador’s 2008 constitutional ban on foreign military bases, marking a major shift in national defense policy and a closer partnership with Washington.

A Visit with High Stakes

Noem landed Wednesday at Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta, a coastal city once home to a U.S. anti-drug operations hub from 1999 to 2009. She is also scheduled to tour Salinas, another strategic military site that, along with Baltra, played a key role in U.S. defense operations during World War II.

Both locations are now under review as potential sites for DHS offices — part of a broader effort to support Ecuador’s fight against drug cartels and organized crime.

“When crime knows no borders, the strategies against it should not know borders either,” said Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo in a government statement, emphasizing the country’s need for greater technology and resources to confront transnational crime.

A Nation Under Siege by Crime

Ecuador has become one of Latin America’s most violent nations, with homicides rising by more than 600% over the past six years. Roughly 20 major gangs now operate across the country, many linked to international cartels that use Ecuador’s Pacific ports for drug trafficking.

President Daniel Noboa argues that foreign cooperation — especially with the U.S. — is critical to restoring order. The planned referendum will determine whether American security and defense agencies can operate alongside Ecuadorian police and armed forces at select facilities.

Regional Context and Political Ties

The talks come as the U.S. ramps up a military offensive in the Pacific and Caribbean, targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Noboa has publicly supported this strategy and described himself as an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the region.

Despite speculation, Noboa clarified that no U.S. base will be installed in the Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO-protected ecosystem. He also revealed ongoing discussions with Brazil about forming an Amazon Police Force to combat criminal activity across the rainforest.

A Decision with Global Echoes

The November referendum represents more than a domestic policy vote — it’s a defining moment for Ecuador’s sovereignty and its relationship with the United States. If citizens approve, it would mark the first U.S. security presence on Ecuadorian soil in over 15 years, reshaping not only the country’s defense strategy but also its place in regional geopolitics.