Colombia and Ecuador Hold First Ministerial Talks as Tariff Dispute Drags On

Overview

• Ecuador’s foreign ministry said its foreign minister met her Colombian counterpart in Panama and presented Quito’s position, with Bogotá expected to respond.
• Both governments maintain punitive measures that began with mutual 30% tariffs, including Colombia’s halt of electricity exports to Ecuador and a 900% hike by Quito on fees to move Colombian oil through its pipeline.
• At the CAF forum in Panama, President Gustavo Petro offered to speak with President Daniel Noboa and proposed a regional pact against organized crime.
• Noboa did not publicly accept the offer during his remarks, and Ecuador’s presidency later announced he brought forward his return to Quito.
• Colombia had previously proposed a meeting that stalled over scheduling, as both sides frame the dispute through cross‑border security concerns and narcotrafficking pressures.