A national vote has been scheduled to decide whether to lift Ecuador's constitutional ban on foreign military bases amid rising violence and calls for US assistance in combating drug trafficking

The Organization of American States has signed a security agreement with Ecuador to support its crackdown on organized crime, as rising violence linked to drug gangs has triggered record drug seizures and human rights concerns over state actions

Indigenous-led protests in Ecuador have gained momentum after President Noboa has lifted diesel subsidies, prompting nationwide strikes, highway blockades and clashes with security forces that have resulted in deaths, injuries and numerous detentions

A referendum to rewrite the Constitution has been proposed by President Daniel Noboa, sparking legal debate in Ecuador over whether he bypassed the required approval of the Constitutional Court

A cooperation agreement was signed with the US to jointly combat terrorism and drug trafficking, officially designating gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros as narcoterrorist organizations