Quito, Nov. 17 -- Early referendum results indicate that Ecuadorians have decisively rejected a proposal to allow the return of foreign military bases, with nearly two-thirds voting "no" as close to 90 percent of ballots were counted, Al Jazeera reported.
The defeat marks a setback for President Daniel Noboa, who has argued that foreign cooperation, including hosting foreign military bases, is crucial for combating organized crime. Ecuador banned foreign military bases in 2008 under former President Rafael Correa.
Sunday's referendum also included votes on reducing public funding for political parties and cutting the number of legislators in the National Assembly from 151 to 73. Early results show both proposals were rejected by wide marg...