Ecuador Considers Military Bases Amidst Political Debate and Public Opposition
Ecuador’s Assembly is analyzing a bill regarding foreign military bases, returning it to an Occasional Commission for further review. Assemblywoman Gissela Garzón suggests that the new legislators may request an extension for preparing the report. The Coordinator for Peace opposes the bases, citing previous negative impacts. The ultimate decision may lead to a public referendum if approved by Parliament.
Ecuador’s legislature is currently evaluating a bill concerning the establishment of foreign military bases in the country. The Assembly recently approved the bill through an initial debate, returning it to the Occasional Commission for further examination. The Commission is tasked with preparing a report for a second and decisive debate within the Assembly.
Assemblywoman Gissela Garzón, who leads the Commission, has suggested that the next set of legislators, set to take office on May 14th, may want to request an extension and form a new commission to progress the report. The upcoming Assembly is expected to see the Citizen Revolution party hold a significant number of seats, although they will not hold a majority. By potentially allying with the Pachakutik movement, they may oppose any changes to the Constitution that would permit foreign military bases.
The proposal to permit foreign military presence in Ecuador was submitted by President Noboa to the Assembly following a favorable ruling from the Constitutional Court regarding the modification of Article 5 of the Constitution, which currently prohibits foreign bases. If approved by Parliament in two votes, this measure would subsequently be subjected to a referendum for approval by the citizens.
The Coordinator for Peace, Sovereignty, and Non-Interference (CPAZ) has voiced strong opposition against foreign military bases in Ecuador, launching a digital campaign to uphold national sovereignty and self-determination. They assert, “Foreign military bases have not only failed to address insecurity but have also exacerbated social inequalities and diverted resources that could be invested in health, education, and development.”
In collaboration with the global movement A World Beyond War, CPAZ has begun the process of gathering signatures to present to the National Assembly opposing the establishment of foreign military bases, recalling the negative impacts of the former Manta Base from 1999 to 2009, which included human rights violations and ineffective drug trafficking combat.
Ecuador’s legislature is deliberating a significant bill concerning foreign military bases, with a focus on national sovereignty and the implications of such entities on social services. The outcome of the second and final debate may hinge on the coalition between political parties, particularly the Citizen Revolution and Pachakutik movements. As public opposition mounts, the citizens’ voices will be crucial in the potential referendum.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
