Noboa’s U.S. visit focused on strengthening security cooperation, addressing immigration concerns, and discussing a potential military base in Ecuador.

A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Saturday, March 29, 2025, centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation in combating organized crime and addressing immigration concerns. The two leaders met for two hours at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, accompanied by Robert Francis Kennedy, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. According to the Ecuadorian president’s communications team, the atmosphere was warm and collaborative, reflecting the growing rapport between the two nations.

Security and Organized Crime Dominate Talks

The primary topics discussed were U.S. support for Ecuador’s efforts to fight violence and the potential for further collaboration between the two countries on security matters. In a statement following the meeting, Noboa highlighted the progress made in terms of U.S. support for Ecuador’s fight against organized crime, noting that U.S. cooperation had been instrumental in excluding Ecuadorians from the U.S. deportation priority list. Noboa also mentioned that Ecuador had received valuable advice on how to address security challenges, which are particularly urgent due to the rising influence of criminal organizations in the country.

“The current closeness between the governments of the United States and Ecuador translates into tangible benefits for Ecuadorians, including their exclusion from the U.S. deportation plan and ongoing support in security matters,” Noboa’s team said in a statement.

One of the key points of Noboa’s visit was his ongoing push to have Ecuador’s most notorious organized crime groups recognized as terrorist organizations by the United States. He believes that this designation would open new avenues for international cooperation, including further aid in combatting these criminal groups. The recognition would also signal a clear message about Ecuador’s resolve in fighting organized crime.

Military Base Plans and Immigration Concerns

(See: “Ecuador is preparing for US forces, plans show, as Noboa calls for help battling gangs”)

In addition to security concerns, immigration issues were also on the agenda. Noboa expressed his intention to continue advocating for the well-being of Ecuadorians living in the U.S., stressing the importance of maintaining beneficial ties between the two countries for the benefit of both Ecuadorian migrants and the broader U.S.-Ecuador relationship. He revealed plans to seek further advantages for Ecuadorians living in the U.S., including initiatives that could provide them with increased opportunities.

This meeting coincided with the publication of an investigative report by CNN that revealed the Ecuadorian government’s plans to potentially build a U.S. military base in Manta. The report detailed designs for a base that would include residential quarters, administrative offices, and facilities supporting U.S. military personnel. The base would assist in countering the growing influence of criminal organizations operating in Ecuador. According to an anonymous Ecuadorian official, the Noboa administration is intent on hosting U.S. personnel at this base, echoing Noboa’s repeated statements about the need for foreign military assistance to combat the increasing threat of drug trafficking.

The idea of reestablishing a U.S. military base in Ecuador is not new. Noboa mentioned the proposal in a recent presidential debate on March 23, 2025, and reiterated his commitment to the idea, emphasizing that the base would not only involve U.S. forces but also participation from other countries such as Canada, France, and Spain. He also introduced a bill to the National Assembly proposing a constitutional amendment to lift the ban on foreign military bases in Ecuador—a proposal currently under legislative review. The ADN movement, Noboa’s political party, holds significant sway in the assembly, though it remains second to the ruling Citizen Revolution party, which holds a the largest minority.

Noboa’s visit to the United States came just two weeks before Ecuador’s crucial presidential runoff election, scheduled for April 13, 2025. Noboa traveled with his wife, Lavinia Valbonesi, and a delegation of key government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat of Communication, and the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT). Prior to his meeting with Trump, Noboa also engaged with the Ecuadorian migrant community in Miami, where he received feedback on how to improve bilateral relations with the United States and ensure the continued stability of Ecuador’s dollarized economy.

During the meeting with the migrant community, Noboa highlighted the success of his administration’s efforts to remove Ecuador from the U.S. deportation priority list. He also shared details of educational initiatives, including plans for scholarships to support Ecuadorians in learning English. Another initiative that garnered attention was the Youth in Action program, which offers a $400 stipend to approximately 80,000 Ecuadorian youth.

As Noboa’s agenda in the U.S. continues to unfold, the strengthening of U.S.-Ecuador relations on security and immigration remains central to his priorities, with the goal of creating a safer, more prosperous future for Ecuadorians both at home and abroad.