Ecuador, Colombia Enter Trade War Over Border Security Dispute
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa directly linked his country’s security challenges to criminal groups operating from Colombia, calling drug trafficking a “regional phenomenon” fueled by neighboring nations. On social media, Noboa highlighted ongoing efforts against gangs, writing, “For Ecuador, this has been a tireless struggle. Today, we have leaders like alias Pipo, Fénix, and Viche—all of Colombian identity—behind bars.” He singled out the gang leader Fito, recently extradited to the US, claiming he used Colombian territory to manage criminal networks in Ecuador. Noboa warned that groups attempting to replicate Colombian criminal models “were wrong about Ecuador.”
The diplomatic standoff intensified last Wednesday when Noboa announced a 30% “security tax” on all Colombian imports, citing insufficient cooperation on border security. Colombia retaliated by imposing a matching 30% tariff on 20 key Ecuadorian products and suspending electricity sales to Ecuador—a major disruption, as Colombia supplies 10% of Ecuador’s power needs.
Further escalation came on Jan. 27, when Ecuador increased the tariff for transporting Colombian crude oil through its state-owned SOTE pipeline by 900%, raising fees from $3 to $30 per barrel.
Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Edwin Palma, criticized Ecuador’s actions as “responding with aggression,” noting that diplomatic talks were close to resuming before Ecuador canceled them in favor of additional measures.
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