I came to mention this as well. I wish more people would look at all the factors before saying "X elevation and Y latitude is what we need, therefore this place

I came to mention this as well. I wish more people would look at all the factors before saying "X elevation and Y latitude is what we need, therefore this place fits the bill." Given the active volcanoes and weather in Ecuador, you'd be lucky to find a road and suitable launch complex site over 4000m. And then there is this whole science and tech imperialism. Maybe Ecuadorans don't want roads and launch complexes cut out of their high mountains. Hawaii is going through this issue right now with new telescopes on Mauna Kea, and Ecuador has a strong indigenous rights movement, including the party in power at times.