Highlights
– Intelligence program reorganized at President Correa’s discretion
– Correa to reject renewal of military base lease in 2009
– Ecuadorian administration concerned about influence of a Colombia -United States alliance
– US and Ecuador deny reform of program will cause negative relations between the two nations
On April 22, 2008, President Rafeal Correa announced that he plans to reform Ecuador’s intelligence program, decreasing United States’ influence. Reportedly, he has already dismissed several US trained senior level intelligence staff and does not plan to renew the US military’s 10-year lease of an airbase at the Pacific port of Manta. Correa, an ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has expressed concern that his country’s intelligence bureau is infiltrated and dominated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Base Renewal Issue
The US has used the military base at the port of Manta as a station for Colombian anti narcotic operations, with an estimated 100 flights leaving from the base each month. This accounts for about 60 percent of drug interdiction in the eastern Pacific area. The lease will expire at the end of 2009 and approximately 100 US military personnel will be forced to leave the base.
When the US first signed the lease agreement for the Manta air base, one of Washington’s goals was to “reorient” the Ecuadorian armed forces, modifying the training to be similar to that of the Colombian army. However, before Correa was elected in 2006, the US presence in Ecuador concerned many citizens who perceived the US military’s presence as a challenge to the country’s sovereignty. As a result, Correa campaigned that he would close the US military base if elected. After being inaugurated, his administration emphasized the importance of reducing US influence in Ecuador’s political and military sector because it was believed US training, financial and technical support had flooded Ecuador’s bureaucracy, causing a national security problem.
Alliance Concerns
One reported motive behind the president’s decision to reorganize the existing program is the Colombian military raid that occurred in early March 2008. Media sources report top Ecuadorian military officials supported and assisted Colombian armed forces in a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel camp raid in Ecuadorian territory. Due to Colombia’s strong ties with the US, Correa stated he believes intelligence was shared between the two countries, implying his own senior level intelligence officials were integrated closely with those of the US.
Future Relations
Officials from both nations have publicly stated that the decision to allow the lease to expire will not damage relations. US federal authorities have reported they will rearrange missions and drug surveillance flights to leave from bases in Key West, El Salvador and Curacao instead of Manta. Additionally, US military sources assert the US respects Ecuador’s decision, and that there is a, “wide spectrum of ways in which countries can cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking, and each must choose a comfortable level with cooperation.”
Despite statements by both nations refuting any possibility of deteriorating relations, it is likely the intelligence program reform is the first step of many Correa will take to distance Ecuador politically from the US.
By firing current officials and appointing supporters of his own administration, Correa will gain greater control of the country, decreasing the dependence on other nations who hold different visions.
It is probable that Correa will focus on developing a more independent Ecuador and strengthening ties with other Latin American countries, especially those with leftist leaders such as Bolivia and Venezuela.
