Colombia's Petro rebukes Ecuador over new tariffs: Video
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Thursday, January 22, criticised Ecuador’s decision to impose a 30 per cent tariff on Colombian imports, arguing that the measure overlooks Colombia’s recent support during Ecuador’s energy crisis.
Speaking at a government event in Leticia, Petro said Bogotá had supplied electricity to its neighbour when shortages left Ecuador struggling to meet domestic demand.
Ecuador’s government, led by President Daniel Noboa, announced the tariffs earlier this week, framing them as a response to what it described as a lack of reciprocity from Colombia on security cooperation. The measure affects a range of Colombian products and adds strain to an already delicate bilateral relationship.
“We sold them energy when they needed it,” Petro said, referring to electricity exports provided since late 2024. He added that now Ecuador’s situation has stabilised, the decision appeared driven more by political alignment than by regional solidarity, criticising what he described as diplomacy based on confrontation rather than cooperation.
Colombia and Ecuador maintain close economic and security ties, sharing a long and porous border that has required joint efforts against organised crime and smuggling.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
