Ecuador's electoral council has approved President Daniel Noboa's request to hold a referendum on constitutional changes. Voters will decide whether to allow foreign military bases in Ecuador and whether the state should stop funding political parties. Noboa issued the decree earlier this week. However, on Friday, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court suspended the request to decide on a constituent assembly as it reviews lawsuits against the move. Noboa, elected earlier this year, has implemented strict policies against drug cartels. Ecuador, once safe, has seen homicide rates triple since 2020 due to drug-related violence.
