Ecuador has raised tariffs on goods from Colombia. Relationships are getting worse

Ecuador increased tariffs on goods from Colombia from 50 to 100 percent. – Ecuadorian media reported, adding that these countries are facing the biggest crisis in bilateral relations. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa accuses his neighbor of insufficient fight against narco-terrorism.

The increased customs duties will come into force on May 1. Ecuadorian authorities said the decision was made “after observing Colombia's failure to implement specific and effective measures to secure its borders.”

In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro threatened to leave his country from the Andean Community (a regional economic organization) and join Mercosur.

The trade war between Colombia and Ecuador began with the imposition of 30 percent tariffs in February by President Noboa, who declared that the northern neighbor was not taking enough action to ensure security on their shared border, where narco-terrorist groups operate.

The crisis in economic relations is accompanied by tense diplomatic relations. In March, after an unexploded bomb was found on Colombian territory, Petro blamed Ecuador for the attack. In early April, Noboa believed that Colombia was interfering in his country's internal affairs after Petro called former vice president of Ecuador Jorge Glas, who was serving a sentence for corruption, a “political prisoner.”

Colombia and Ecuador share a 586 km long border. According to the Ecuadorian daily “El Comercio”, the value of trade exchange in recent years amounted to approximately USD 2.8 billion. (PAP)

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