Colombian rebels say the base is being used to fight them. Last month Ecuador's Oil pipelines were attacked and 8 people killed. Meanwhile, the oil prices may soon fall and old problems will return. Many people are escaping poverty by emigrating. More than 400,000 left the country last year.
Some economic experts say the region is sliding back economically.
Ocampo, a former Colombian finance minister was commenting after the publication of a bleak economic forecast for the region. The report says economic growth is sluggish and only in exports. Investment levels are too low and unemployment high. By African Perspective Staff Society in Ecuador is being torn between the rich and those who face daily grinding poverty. The situation is now boiling to a confrontation.