U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, on Wednesday met with the Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa to discuss opening U.S. military bases in the ports of Manta and Salinas.

Touring through the Ecuadorian military of in Manta, Noem was shown the facilities that could host U.S. forces, according to a release by the Ecuadorian presidency.

Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo, said the efforts in combating international criminal organizations "should not know borders."

A referendum is set to take place on November for Ecuadorians to decide in establishing the foreign military bases, along with reducing the number of assembly members, eliminating the obligation to finance political parties, and establishing a constituent assembly next year.