The escalation of tensions between Colombia and Ecuador gained a new chapter this Monday (16), after the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, stated that the neighboring country had carried out a bombing raid on Colombian territory in the border region.
The statement was made during a ministerial meeting on agrarian reform, broadcast on television. According to Petro, the attack was not carried out by illegal armed groups, but by forces linked to Ecuador. “They are bombing us from Ecuador and they are not illegal armed groups,” he said.
In light of the episode, Petro said he contacted the President of the United States, Donald Trump, seeking mediation. According to him, the intention is to avoid a military escalation between the countries.
“I asked you to call the president of Ecuador because we don’t want to get into a war,” he declared, without saying when he made the request.
The Colombian president stated that a bomb dropped by an aircraft was found in the border region. He also mentioned the existence of a video that, according to his assessment, should be released.
“We have to make the appropriate decisions,” said Petro when commenting on the episode, indicating that the government is evaluating possible responses.
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Crisis goes beyond security
The incident comes amid a broader deterioration in relations between the two countries. Since February, Colombia and Ecuador have faced a trade dispute that began after Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa imposed tariffs on Colombian products.
The measure was justified by Noboa’s criticism of Petro’s actions in combating drug trafficking in the border region. Colombia responded with similar tariffs, and diplomatic negotiations have so far failed to reverse the impasse.
On Sunday (15), Ecuador began an operation to combat drug trafficking expected to last two weeks, mobilizing around 75,000 soldiers and adopting measures such as curfews in strategic areas.
The offensive has the support of the United States and is part of the so-called “Shield of the Americas”, an alliance formed by 17 countries to face threats to regional security. Colombia does not participate in the bloc.
The relationship between Petro and Trump has already been marked by friction, but the two recently became closer after a meeting at the White House on February 3, which reduced the tone of public disagreements. The new episode, however, reopens a focus of instability in the region.
