Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has declared a 30% additional tariff on goods imported from Colombia, scheduled to take effect starting February 1. This measure serves as a coercive tactic to urge Colombia into stronger partnership on border enforcement and crime control.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Noboa emphasized Ecuador's ongoing "genuine efforts at cooperation" with its neighbor despite a persistent trade deficit topping $1 billion annually. The president explicitly criticized Colombia’s apparent failure to match Ecuador’s commitment while Ecuador's military actively confronts criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking on their shared border.
Noboa affirmed that the punitive tariff will remain until Colombia demonstrates a firm, collaborative stance to jointly tackle drug trafficking and illegal mining activities plaguing their 600-kilometer frontier. He insisted Colombia align its seriousness and determination with Ecuador’s resolve in addressing these transnational crimes.
The border zone between Ecuador and Colombia has historically served as a conduit for cocaine trafficking. Recently, a surge in cocaine production has transformed the region, with Ecuador emerging as a critical hub facilitating drug smuggling. This shift has contributed to a rise in violent incidents such as homicides, kidnappings, and extortion.
Data from Colombia’s statistics agency reveals that through November, Colombian exports to Ecuador reached $1.7 billion, including vital electricity supplies essential to Ecuador's infrastructure.
Following Noboa’s announcement, Colombia’s defense ministry reported a joint operation where their armed forces confiscated 2.2 tons of marijuana along the border. A ministry statement on their social channels confirmed ongoing bilateral cooperation, underscoring a commitment to intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts to combat drug trafficking and insecurity in the border regions.