Ecuador voters defend world’s only constitutional rights of nature, decisively reject presidential push to rewrite constitution

In a landmark vote for environmental protection, Ecuadorian citizens delivered a decisive blow to President Daniel Noboa’s constitutional reform efforts on Sunday, with nearly 62 percent of voters rejecting his proposal to convene a constituent assembly. The outcome preserves Ecuador’s groundbreaking “ecological constitution” – the only national constitution in the world that formally recognizes nature’s inherent rights to exist and flourish.

The failed referendum represented more than just a political setback for the Trump-allied president; it was a clear statement from Ecuadorians about their commitment to environmental protection and constitutional stability. Had the measure passed, experts warned that the resulting constitutional overhaul would likely have eliminated or severely weakened the rights of nature provisions that have made Ecuador a global leader in environmental law since their adoption.

The vote also blocked Noboa’s attempt to allow foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil, another controversial element of his proposed reforms. The resounding defeat reflects growing tensions between the president’s pro-business agenda and citizens who prioritize environmental protection and national sovereignty.

Ecuador’s constitution, adopted in 2008, grants nature the right to exist, persist, regenerate, and restore its vital cycles. This revolutionary legal framework has inspired similar movements worldwide and positioned Ecuador as a pioneer in the global rights of nature movement. Sunday’s vote ensures that this environmental legacy will remain intact, at least for now, despite ongoing pressures from extractive industries and development interests.