Overview
- Colombia's trade ministry, which disclosed the move Friday, said it would lift tariffs on Ecuadorian goods to 100% and begin implementing the change at once.
- Ecuador set the escalation in motion Thursday by hiking its 'security' tariff on Colombian imports to 100% effective May 1, citing weak Colombian border controls and drug trafficking.
- Gustavo Petro recalled Colombia's ambassador after the hike and called the 100% levy a 'monstrosity,' while Daniel Noboa defended the step as a security measure.
- Talks under the Andean Community have been suspended, and Colombia has already halted electricity sales to Ecuador, which relies on those imports during drought.
- Businesses warn of shortages and higher prices for medicines, pesticides, and other inputs, with trade data showing Colombia exported about $1.846 billion to Ecuador in 2025 and historically ran a surplus.