(MENAFN) Ecuadorian citizens voted against a plan to permit foreign military bases in the country on Sunday, with preliminary results showing nearly two-thirds of voters saying “no” as around 90% of ballots were tallied.

The electorate dismissed a set of four constitutional amendments put forward in a referendum by the administration of President Daniel Noboa.

Voters decided on four major issues, including the potential return of foreign military bases and the drafting of a new constitution. In each case, “no” votes led by a substantial margin.

Unofficial tallies indicated that 61.55% opposed drafting a new constitution, while 38.45% supported it. Meanwhile, the proposal to allow foreign military bases received 60.50% “no” and 39.50% “yes.”

Other measures also failed to gain approval. The suggestion to reduce state funding for political parties drew 57.96% “no” votes against 42.04% in favor, and the plan to cut the number of congressional seats garnered 53.41% “no” versus 46.59% “yes.”

President Noboa recognized the referendum defeat, affirming that the government would respect the decision of the Ecuadorian population.

“Our commitment does not change; it strengthens. We will continue to fight tirelessly for the country that you deserve, with the tools that we have,” he stated in a post on the US social media company X.

The outcome represents a blow to Noboa, who had aimed to overturn the 2008 ban on foreign military bases as a strategy to tackle escalating violence and organized crime—a plan also backed by the US, which sought to reopen a base along the Pacific coast.

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