标签： South America

QUITO, Ecuador — In a pivotal national referendum held on Sunday, Ecuadorians cast their votes on a series of proposals that could reshape the country’s constitutional framework and security policies. The referendum, comprising four key questions, sought public approval for amending the constitution to permit foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil and to initiate a process that could lead to the drafting of a new constitution. This comes as Ecuador grapples with escalating violent crime, driven by its role as a major transit hub for cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru. Drug trafficking gangs have targeted presidential candidates, mayors, and journalists in their struggle for control over ports and coastal cities. President Daniel Noboa, a conservative leader advocating for a tough stance on crime, has been a vocal proponent of the referendum. In recent weeks, Noboa has engaged in discussions with U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, to explore regional security and migration cooperation. He also showcased a military base along Ecuador’s coast that could potentially host U.S. troops. ‘International cooperation is the only way to dismantle these transnational criminal networks,’ Noboa stated after casting his vote. The referendum also included proposals to reduce public funding for political parties and to decrease the number of legislators in the National Assembly from 151 to 73. While Noboa argues these measures are essential to curb excessive government spending, critics warn they could undermine political representation, particularly in low-income communities. Additionally, voters were asked whether Ecuador should establish a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution, a move Noboa believes is necessary to strengthen crime-fighting tools and border control. However, opponents fear a new constitution could weaken legislative and judicial oversight of the executive branch. Voting is compulsory in Ecuador for individuals under 64, with nearly 14 million registered voters participating in this historic decision.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s counterdrug operations in South America. The deployment, part of “Operation Southern Spear,” brings the total number of U.S. troops in the region to approximately 12,000, supported by nearly a dozen Navy ships. The carrier strike group, which includes fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands, according to a Navy statement. While the administration frames the buildup as a mission to combat drug trafficking, critics view it as a pressure tactic against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Since September, U.S. strikes have killed at least 80 people in 20 attacks on boats allegedly involved in drug transport. Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of the Ford’s strike group, emphasized the mission’s focus on protecting U.S. security against “narco-terrorism” in the Western Hemisphere. However, the administration has yet to provide evidence linking those killed to drug cartels or terrorist organizations. President Trump has hinted at expanding military action beyond maritime strikes, including potential land operations. The deployment has drawn criticism from regional leaders, the U.N. human rights chief, and U.S. lawmakers, who question the legal basis and transparency of the strikes. Meanwhile, Venezuela has mobilized troops and civilians in anticipation of possible U.S. aggression. Experts debate whether the Ford’s presence is a strategic deterrent or a provocative move, with some arguing it is ill-suited for counterdrug efforts but effective as a tool of intimidation. Elizabeth Dickinson of the International Crisis Group noted that the deployment has heightened anxieties across Latin America, with many watching closely to gauge the U.S. willingness to use military force.

Chileans head to the polls on Sunday for a pivotal presidential and parliamentary election, with the race dominated by concerns over organized crime and immigration. The contest, likely to require a runoff on December 14, pits two starkly opposed candidates against each other: Jeannette Jara, a communist former labor minister, and José Antonio Kast, an ultraconservative lawyer. Both have shifted their campaigns to address the shared theme of public insecurity, reflecting widespread voter anxiety over rising gang-driven crime and illegal immigration from Venezuela. The election marks the first time in Chile’s history that voting is mandatory, potentially reshaping the political landscape with millions of new voters. The outcome could hinge on who convinces the electorate they are toughest on crime and immigration, with Kast proposing a border wall and mass deportations, while Jara focuses on building new prisons and expelling foreign criminals. The election also renews the lower house of Congress and part of the Senate, with 15.7 million eligible voters, including over 800,000 immigrants. Economic issues, such as high unemployment and sluggish growth, further complicate the race, as candidates propose divergent solutions to revive the economy. The election stands in stark contrast to 2021, when Chile elected its youngest-ever president on promises of sweeping social change, but economic constraints have since tempered those ambitions.

Mexico City witnessed violent confrontations on Saturday as thousands of demonstrators clashed with police during anti-government protests. The protests, organized by Gen Z youth groups, were fueled by rising public anger over violent crime and the recent assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, a vocal critic of drug cartels. At least 120 people, including 100 police officers, were injured in the unrest. Protesters dismantled parts of a barrier protecting the National Palace, prompting police to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowds. Authorities arrested 20 individuals for crimes such as robbery and assault. Protesters carried banners with messages like ‘We are all Carlos Manzo’ and wore cowboy hats in his honor. Manzo, who was shot dead on November 1 during a Day of the Dead festival, had been a prominent advocate for tougher action against cartel violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has resisted calls for an all-out war on drugs, accused right-wing politicians of funding the protests and claimed the demonstrations were promoted by online bots. Despite her efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and maintain a 70% approval rating, Sheinbaum faces criticism for failing to curb the country’s escalating violence. The protests also highlighted Mexico’s strained diplomatic relations, particularly with Peru, which recently declared Sheinbaum persona non grata following Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister implicated in a 2022 coup attempt.