O government of Ecuador announced this Thursday (9) that it would increase tariffs on imports from its larger neighbor, Colombia, from 50% to 100%, claiming that Colombia had not implemented security measures at its borders.
“After confirming that Colombia has not implemented concrete and effective border security measures, Ecuador finds itself forced to take sovereign measures,” the government said in a statement.
Ecuador said the tariffs would come into effect from May 1st.
The South American country had increased tariffs at the end of February to 50% from the. He justified the measures by claiming that Colombia is not doing enough to combat drug trafficking near the shared border.
Colombia has repeatedly rejected these accusations and noted that it carries out regular joint anti-drug trafficking operations in conjunction with Ecuadorian security forces. His government has imposed reciprocal tariffs on some Ecuadorian products.
Bogotá also suspended energy sales to Ecuador, a key export for the country during droughts when hydroelectric dams run dry. Ecuador also imports significant quantities of medicines and pesticides from the neighboring country.
The Ecuadorian government had already cited the trade deficit as a reason for imposing tariffs.
Neither Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded to requests for comment.
