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Colombia has accused Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa of interfering in its upcoming election after he reportedly promised a right-wing candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, that he would lift tariffs.
According to the BBC, Noboa said he had spoken with Colombian presidential aspirant Abelardo de la Espriella on Friday and described the conversation as one with an “administration-in-waiting.” He also said the two parties had “reached an agreement” on trade and security matters, including the removal of tariffs on Colombian products from June 1 and cooperation on the handover of suspected criminals.
However, Colombia’s foreign ministry strongly rejected the comments, describing them as “deliberate interference” in its democratic process. Colombia goes to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president in a highly split political atmosphere.
The foreign ministry said Ecuador’s statement presented the tariff decision in a misleading way and warned that it violates the principle of non-intervention in another country’s internal affairs.
“This meddling by a foreign leader in the democratic process of another state constitutes a flagrant violation of the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs,” the ministry said.
Ecuador had previously imposed tariffs on Colombian goods, pointing out that security concerns along their shared border. Colombia rejected those claims and responded with its own economic measures.
The election is expected to go to a runoff on June 21 if no candidate wins a majority. Polling suggests Iván Cepeda, supported by President Gustavo Petro, is leading, while de la Espriella is his closest rival.
Cepeda has promised to continue Petro’s “total peace” policy, while de la Espriella and other right-wing candidates are calling for a tougher military approach to armed groups and drug cartels.
