Colombia has announced a suspension of electricity exports to Ecuador and a 30% tariff on 20 Ecuadorian products, escalating a trade and security dispute between the neighbours.
The move follows Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s decision to impose a 30% “security charge” on Colombian goods from 1 February, citing a trade deficit and insufficient cooperation on drug trafficking.
Key developments:
• Colombia’s Energy Ministry halted cross-border electricity sales, citing climate-related supply risks, not trade retaliation.
• Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected accusations of inaction on trafficking, stating Colombia seized 200 tonnes of cocaine along the shared border.
• Ecuador signalled possible reciprocal measures affecting Colombian crude transported via the OCP pipeline.
• Ecuador recorded a $838m trade deficit with Colombia in the first 10 months of 2025.
Bogotá described its tariff as “proportional, transitory and revisable”, while confirming it remains open to dialogue.
ℹ️ Al Jazeera, Reuters
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