Noboa’s visit with Trump at Mar-a-Lago was ‘unofficial’ and no deals were made, government says

Following news reports that President Daniel Noboa and U.S. President Donald Trump made plans for a new U.S. military base in Manta, the president’s press office said Monday that no agreements were made during the visit with the U.S. president at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Anabella Azín, President Daniel Noboa’s mother, was elected to the National Assembly in February.

“This was an unofficial visit intended only for the sharing of information,” Noboa’s press office said in a statement.

Noboa’s mother, Anabella Azín, described the visit as a “courtesy call,” and said media speculation was premature. “This was not an official government visit and was only intended to acquaint the U.S. president with Daniel’s plans for the future and the problems he faces,” she said. “I’m sure the two presidents discussed a number of topics, but no agreements were signed.”

Azín was elected to the National Assembly in the February election and is a leader of Noboa’s National Democratic Action party.

Several media sources reported that Noboa and Trump discussed details of a new U.S. anti-drug trafficking military facility in Manta. El Universo and CNN claimed that preparations are underway to build administrative offices and barracks for U.S. Naval personnel in the port area of Manta.

According to Azín, the military base plans are “nothing new and have been around for months.” She added that any official agreements with the U.S. depend on the outcome of the April 13 election and support from the National Assembly. “Obviously, nothing will go forward before the election,” she said. “After that, an official visit to discuss specific plans may be appropriate.”

The U.S. State Department also described the visit was “unofficial” and said any agreements between Ecuador and the U.S. are dependent on the election.

Luisa González, Noboa’s opponent in the April 13 presidential run-off election, opposes the anti-narcotics base and says she will end any plans already made. González called the Mar-a-Lago visit a “publicity stunt.”

Noboa has said little about the visit, only that immigration issues were discussed and that Ecuadorian migrants in the U.S. are “not included on the deportation priority list.”