This will happen despite the fact that the Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign military forces on Ecuadorian territory. On Saturday, the Mexican newspaper La Jornada published an article claiming that US military ships will arrive in the Galapagos Islands in the coming days, effectively establishing a US military base on an archipelago of invaluable scientific significance.

“Ships, military personnel, weapons, equipment, and submarines will be able to operate in this archipelago, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978,” journalist Orlando Perez wrote, noting that this decision implements a decree signed by President Daniel Noboa on February 15, 2024.

On December 10, the Comprehensive Security Project for the Insular Region and the Guidelines for the Implementation of the U.S.-Ecuador Cooperation Agreements were approved. “The initiative aims to combat drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other illicit maritime activities in this region of Ecuador. It also seeks to prevent violent conflicts and related crimes among narco-terrorist groups linked to international cartels vying for control over drug export routes and territorial dominance for drug sales,” La Jornada’s article mentioned.

The decision of the Noboa administration follows an agreement signed between Ecuador and the United States on October 6, 2023, by then-President Guillermo Lasso. “That document outlined that the U.S. Department of Defense’s military and civilian personnel, as well as its contractors, would be granted privileges, exemptions, and immunity equivalent to those enjoyed by administrative and technical personnel of diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention,” Perez explained.

“In practice, this amounts to the establishment of a military base, similar to what occurred between 1999 and 2009 in the coastal city of Manta. That agreement was not renewed by then-President Rafael Correa, and the 2008 Constitution prohibited the presence of foreign military forces or bases on Ecuadorian territory,” he added.

Due to this constitutional limitation, Noboa submitted a proposal to the National Assembly for a partial amendment to the 2008 Constitution to remove the article prohibiting foreign bases. However, this bill has not yet been reviewed or approved by the Ecuadorian lawmakers.

“Former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Fernando Yepez described the development as an example of ‘unacceptable, shameful, dangerous, and undignified colonial servility.’ There is no awareness of national sovereignty, Ecuador’s interests, or the negative experiences with foreign military bases,” Perez concluded.

At least 200 people have been killed in Haiti since the past weekend, with a significant number of victims in Cite Soleil, one of the poorest and most violent areas of Port-au-Prince.

The office of the Prime Minister of Haiti reported that the attacks, attributed to the gang led by Monel “Mikano” Félix, were unleashed following the illness and subsequent death of his son, whom Félix blamed for witchcraft practiced by elderly members of the community.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé stated this Thursday that “all those responsible for the massacres will be arrested” and emphasized that the victims deserve justice, reparation, and security. During a press conference, Fils-Aimé indicated that the government is intensifying its efforts to combat insecurity, noting that he, along with his cabinet and leaders of the National Police, are developing strategies to increase the safety of the Haitian population.

“No one should live under these conditions, fearing to go out on the street. The government’s fight is for everyone’s safety,” he emphasized.

Fils-Aimé underscored the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions and called for unity among citizens to advance this cause. “If we unite, we can build the country we desire,” he stated.

To strengthen the response to violence, the Prime Minister announced that the government will provide comprehensive support to the police and armed forces, especially in technical and financial areas. In this regard, he revealed that starting in December, police salaries will be doubled, referring to them as “national heroes.”

The recent wave of violence has been particularly alarming; in addition to deaths in Cite Soleil, another 20 civilians were killed while sleeping in attacks in the Artibonite department. Fils-Aimé described as “unacceptable” the treatment that armed gangs give to “defenseless populations,” preventing their right to live in peace.

The National Network for Human Rights Defense (RNDDH) reported at least 110 elderly people killed during attacks in Cite Soleil and warned that the total number could be higher. Witnesses recounted that mutilated bodies were burned in the streets. The tragedy began on Thursday and culminated on Saturday afternoon with the child’s death.

Monel “Mikano” Félix is one of Haiti’s most prominent gang leaders and shares criminal leadership with former police officer Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. It is estimated that his organization has approximately 300 members and has expanded its activities to other areas of Port-au-Prince.

Despite the presence of a police force backed by the UN known as the Multinational Security Support Mission—primarily composed of Kenyan agents—the violence continues to escalate. Last month, three American commercial planes were hit by gunfire while operating at Port-au-Prince International Airport.

In response to this growing crisis, the United States requested that the UN convert its security mission into an official peacekeeping operation to ensure financial resources and permanent personnel. However, this proposal faces resistance from Russia and China in the Security Council.

So far, only 400 troops have been sent to address a situation requiring at least 2,000 troops to effectively respond to armed gangs. Additionally, Dominican President Luis Abinader highlighted that a lack of financial resources compromises the full functioning of the mission.

Previous international interventions have been criticized for failing to address structural issues such as corruption and institutional fragility. Past missions like MINUSTAH did not adequately strengthen Haiti’s National Police enough to ensure public safety.

The current mission recently announced an operational expansion with a new base to deploy international police in more areas. In its statement, it committed to protecting key infrastructures and creating safe conditions for national elections.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Monday for a UN mission focused on human rights to be authorized quickly in order to restore security amid rising violence caused by gangs since early this year. HRW noted that while there is hope regarding the Multinational Mission backed by the UN led by Kenya, governments have failed to provide sufficient resources for its effective operation.

Fils-Aimé concluded his speech reiterating: “Our commitment is what guides us every day: security, respect for the Constitution, and fair elections.”

There was a high voter turnout, unlike the two previous judicial elections in which blank or spoiled votes predominated. On Sunday, Bolivia’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced that the final results of the judicial elections will be ready by midweek.

“We are confident that the seven-day legal deadline will not need to be used and that, within three days at most, we will already have the results of this election,” said TSE President Oscar Hassenteufel, who stated that Sunday’s elections proceeded normally, without any irregular incidents.

“The reports indicate there was high voter turnout, and we are hopeful it was positive, reversing the trend toward blank or null votes that has occurred in the previous two elections,” Hassenteufel added.

Meanwhile, electoral official Gustavo Avila reported that by 8:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, the electoral courts in Bolivia’s nine regions had received a total of 1,889 election reports. Local media reported long lines in various regions as people sought to obtain voting exemption certificates for different reasons.

Hassenteufel acknowledged that adequate measures were not taken to ensure the rapid and timely issuance of these documents but announced he would request local authorities to prioritize the process in the coming days.

The judicial elections were preceded by a turbulent process, delayed for a year and politicized due to the extension of the terms of Constitutional Plurinational Tribunal (TCP) magistrates.

While casting his vote in the morning, Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales stated that he voted to fulfill his civic duty but described the process as “illegal” and “unconstitutional” due to the extension of the magistrates’ terms. He also described these elections as “the worst in Bolivia’s history.”

Former Bolivian president Jorge Quiroga also cast his vote but said he neither believes in nor validates the judicial elections. He remarked that these elections “will do nothing to resolve the deep judicial crisis Bolivia has been going through for 15 years.” Over 7.3 million Bolivians were eligible to vote on Sunday to elect 19 of the 26 magistrates for the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), the Constitutional Plurinational Tribunal (TCP), the Agro-Environmental Court (TA), and the Magistrates’ Council.

These judicial elections were the third since the 2009 Constitution established their occurrence every six years, mandating the popular election of magistrates for the country’s main courts after their prior selection by the Legislature.

The terms of judges elected in 2017 were supposed to end early this year. However, in December 2023, the TCP decided to extend their terms, citing the need to avoid a “power vacuum” in the absence of elections. The 2023 elections could not take place due to legislative issues and numerous legal obstacles that repeatedly delayed the process.