Major tensions between two South American countries, the situation has escalated again: “It is simply something monstrous”

Ecuador's government has announced it is raising customs duties on imports from its larger neighbor Colombia from 50% to 100%, citing Colombia's alleged failure to enforce border security measures, Reuters reports.

“After confirming that Colombia has not implemented concrete and effective border security measures, Ecuador is forced to take sovereign measures,” the government said in a statement.

Ecuador said the taxes will take effect on May 1.

At the end of February, the South American country had already raised customs duties to 50%, from a level of 30% initially imposed at the end of January. She justified the measures by saying that Colombia is not doing enough to combat drug trafficking near the common border.

“It's just monstrous”

Colombia did not immediately announce reciprocating measures, but senior officials harshly criticized the latest measures on social media.

“It's simply something monstrous,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro told X, adding that it suggested trade deals in the Andean region had lost their value and his foreign minister should push for greater integration with Central America, the Caribbean and South America's Mercosur bloc.

The energy minister in Petro's government, Edwin Palma, added that Ecuador's decision to raise taxes again was “a clear aggression against the brotherly peoples who have walked together throughout history.”

“In a complex energy situation, where power outages are already affecting millions of Ecuadorians, it is even more worrying that President Daniel Noboa is opting for confrontation and acting with arrogance instead of moving towards common solutions that will ensure the region's energy security,” he said in a post on X.

How did Colombia react?

Colombia has repeatedly denied these allegations and noted that it conducts regular joint anti-drug operations with Ecuadorian security forces. His government imposed reciprocal tariffs on some Ecuadorian goods.

Bogota has also halted power sales to Ecuador, essential for it during periods of drought when hydroelectric dams run dry. Ecuador also imports significant amounts of medicines and pesticides from the neighboring country.

Ecuador's government previously cited the trade deficit as a reason for imposing the taxes.

High tensions recently

The announcement follows tensions over a possible border breach last month. Colombian officials said 14 people were killed near the border after Ecuador launched a security operation and its explosives reached Colombian territory.

Ecuador said at the time that it had conducted a legitimate operation on its own territory and was working to determine why the explosives appeared in Colombia.

Other tensions include a diplomatic row over former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been jailed in Ecuador on corruption charges. Petro stated that Glas is a political prisoner and should be released.

Ecuador recalled its ambassador from Colombia following Petro's remarks and suspended working groups scheduled for next week on trade, energy and security cooperation.

Photo: Libin Jose | Dreamstime.com