Truckers and merchants gathered at the Colombia–Ecuador border on Tuesday (3 February) to protest a growing trade dispute between the two nations.
Protesters called on their governments to remove 30% tariffs on dozens of goods, warning the measures could harm border economies and energy companies.
Key developments:
• Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa imposed tariffs on Colombian goods last month, citing insufficient action against cocaine trafficking.
• Colombia responded with reciprocal tariffs on Ecuadorian products, including rice and car parts, and halted electricity exports to Ecuador.
• Trade volume reached approximately $2.3 billion in 2025, with Colombia exporting $1.7 billion to Ecuador.
• Border cities are heavily affected; in Ipiales, 38% of the local economy relies on Ecuadorian commerce.
Critics suggest Noboa’s tariffs may deflect attention from domestic issues, including Ecuador’s rising homicide rate, which reached 50 per 100,000 residents in 2025.
ℹ️ AP News
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