Description: Ecuadorian government officials representing President Daniel Noboa’s interests have allegedly tapped republican lobbyists in Washington for a potential strategic alliance between Ecuador and the US. The alliance would be initially comprised of a mutually beneficial trade deal between the countries and Ecuador making constitutional concessions to host a US base on its territory. The proposal comes in times of growing gang violence in Ecuador with President Noboa facing a tight runoff election in Apr against the leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez.
Impact: The looming runoff election has prompted sitting President Daniel Noboa to leverage Donald Trump’s transactional and conditioning foreign policies in ramping up public support. The possible strategic alliance between the countries is forcing Ecuador in making constitutional modifications which may prove to be a significant political and societal obstacle for Daniel Noboa. The current gang – related crisis in Ecuador could dissuade the US from rapprochement of a potential alliance with the country, as the Trump administration is focused on a more conditioned and conservative approach in foreign policy for the time being.