Sovereignty and Dignity

The United states has now withdrawn its military base in Manta, after ten years of anti-drug trafficking operations. Since the months of the election campaign of 2006, the cancellation of the agreement that permitted its installation and operation in our territory constituted a promise, which transformed into an order, when Rafael Correa took office as president of the Republic.

As if that were not enough, the Constitution of Montecristi prohibits the presence of foreign troops and facilities in our territory.

In 1998, then president Jamil Mahuad authorized U.S. armed forces to utilize this base for operations related to the fight against drug trafficking; an authorization that required the backing of the National Congress. Since then, the departure of North American troops from Manta has been a constant and passionate goal, serving as a foundation for various accusations towards the governments that followed.

The advanced operations post is now history, and hopefully those who have repeatedly employed it as justification for their political actions will put it aside. On Friday the last U.S. flights were carried out, and the U.S. Army has until November to resolve any remaining legal and administrative issues related to the old base.

It strengthens our sovereignty and national dignity to consolidate our responsibilities in the fight against drug trafficking. At least in this aspect, we are no longer victims of “imperial supremacy,” or hopefully of anything else.