Ecuador will increase customs duties on imports from Colombia to 100% from 50% from 1 May, escalating tensions over border security and drug trafficking concerns between the two neighbours.
Ecuador has announced that it will increase customs duties on imports from Colombia to 100% from 50%, effective 1 May, escalating a series of tariff measures linked to border security and drug trafficking concerns.
The Ministry of Production said the decision follows what it described as Colombia’s failure to implement “concrete and effective” measures on border security. It added that Ecuador is taking “sovereign action” to address drug trafficking risks along the shared border and to protect national security. The tariff had previously been raised from 30% in January to 50% in March.
The move has intensified trade and diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticised the decision, calling it “a monstrosity” and arguing it undermines regional trade agreements. Colombian officials also said the country has maintained joint counter-narcotics operations with Ecuador and has imposed reciprocal tariffs on some Ecuadorian goods. Energy minister Edwin Palma described the measure as “a clear aggression”.
Ecuador and Colombia have long-standing commercial ties, with bilateral trade around USD 2.8 billion and Ecuador recording a trade deficit of about USD 900 million. In response to earlier tariff measures, Colombia suspended electricity exports to Ecuador and imposed tariffs on selected Ecuadorian products, while Ecuador increased transit fees for Colombian oil transported through its pipelines from USD 3 to USD 30 per barrel.
