Ecuador’s Assembly has approved a bill regarding foreign military bases, returning it to a Commission for further review. The RC party, likely to hold a majority of seats, may collaborate with the Pachakutik movement to block constitutional changes. Meanwhile, opposition groups like CPAZ are campaigning against foreign bases, citing past failures. A public referendum could follow if the legislation progresses.
Ecuador’s Assembly recently approved a bill concerning the establishment of foreign military bases, moving it back to the Occasional Commission for further deliberation. This Commission, led by Assemblywoman Gissela Garzón of the Citizen Revolution (RC) party, may request an extension, suggesting that the incoming legislators, who take office on May 14, should form a new committee to prepare the report for a second debate.
In the upcoming Assembly, the RC is projected to hold the most seats, although this will not grant them a governing majority. Nonetheless, the party may align with the Pachakutik movement to thwart any attempts to alter the constitution regarding foreign military presence in the country. President Noboa’s proposal seeks to amend Article 5 of the Constitution, which currently prohibits foreign military bases, following approval from the Constitutional Court.
Should the Assembly agree to authorize foreign military bases through two separate votes, the matter would subsequently be put to a public referendum for citizens to decide. Meanwhile, the Coordinator for Peace, Sovereignty, and Non-Interference (CPAZ) has openly expressed strong objections, launching a digital campaign to uphold Ecuador’s sovereignty and self-determination. They articulated that foreign bases have historically failed to address security issues, instead aggravating social disparities and misallocating resources meant for health, education, and development.
The CPAZ, in collaboration with the global movement A World Beyond War, initiated a campaign on Thursday to collect signatures opposing the establishment of military bases, intending to present these to the National Assembly. They referenced the prior Manta Base (1999-2009) as a cautionary example of foreign military involvement, which led to human rights violations without any substantive progress in combating drug trafficking.
The potential establishment of foreign military bases in Ecuador is a contentious issue currently under legislative review. With significant opposition from various groups and the involvement of the incoming Assembly members, the fate of this initiative remains uncertain. Public sentiment and the decision of the upcoming legislators will be pivotal in shaping Ecuador’s military and foreign relations policies.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
