Ecuador calls departure of US troops historic

The last 15 U.S. troops left Ecuador's Pacific Manta air base on Friday, officially closing the U.S. military post in what Ecuador's government calls a recovery of sovereignty.

The small U.S. mission flew anti-narcotics flights meant to help catch cocaine smugglers close to the point of production.

But Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa promised in his 2006 election campaign that he would not renew the U.S.' 10-year lease on the base. A new constitution approved in a referendum last year officially prohibited foreign military bases on Ecuadoran soil.

Read more