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A developing diplomatic rift between Ecuador and Colombia worsened on Thursday, after Quito enforced a 100% tarrif on Colombian imports, prompting Bogotá to withdraw its ambassador in protest.
The recent move marks a major shift in an already edgy relationship between the two South American countries, which have been tied in a trade dispute for months. Ecuador repeatedly accused Colombia of failing to appropriately curb drug trafficking and illegal mining activities along the border. With this, cooperation between the two governments is almost impossible.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted quickly to the development by immediately withdrawing his country’s envoy from Quito. “Our ambassador to Ecuador must return immediately,” Petro said in a post on X.
He added that “the next cabinet meeting will be held at a location on the border with Ecuador,” marking a firm stance on the situation.
The drama further intensified earlier this week when Petro described a jailed former Ecuadorian vice president, Jorge Glas, as a “political prisoner.” Glas, who served under former President Rafael Correa and his successor Lenín Moreno, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on corruption charges, his fourth conviction since 2017.
The comment didn’t sit well with Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa. He recalled his ambassador from Colombia for consultations and announced new, tough tariffs that will take effect in May.
Petro criticised the 100 per cent tariff, calling it “a monstrosity,” and warned that it signals the end of the Andean Community of Nations, an organisation Colombia has already stopped participating in.
“It’s just simply a monstrosity, but this signifies the end” of the Andean Community of Nations, “in which we already no longer participate,” he said.
On the other hand, Noboa defended the actions, saying they are for Ecuador’s security concerns.
“It is not possible to reach agreements with someone who does not share the same commitment to fighting narco-terrorism,” he said, adding that “in the future, it will be possible to talk with a government that is truly committed to combating crime and drug trafficking.”
The dispute started in January, when Ecuador first imposed tariffs on Colombian goods, alleging a lack of cooperation on cross-border crime. Colombia struck back with similar 50 per cent tariffs and cut off electricity exports to Ecuador, worsening energy shortages in the country.
