Colombia to raise tariffs on Ecuador to 100%, matching Quito's hike amid escalating spat
Colombia will raise tariffs on imports from neighboring Ecuador to 100% from 30%, the trade ministry said on Friday, April 10, matching Ecuador’s measure from a day earlier as a trade and diplomatic dispute between the two countries intensifies.
Ecuador has in recent months increased tariffs on its larger neighbor, citing a trade deficit and alleging Colombia has not done enough to combat drug trafficking along the shared border—allegations Colombia has denied, pointing to joint military operations.
The two governments have also clashed diplomatically after Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Ecuador’s former vice president, jailed for corruption, was being held as a political prisoner and should be released. Colombian Trade Minister Diana Morales said in a statement that Ecuador’s latest tariff hike, from 50% to 100%, forced Colombia to align its policy.
She added that the process to implement the new measure would begin immediately. “We have exhausted all diplomatic efforts and kept channels of dialogue open with the government of Ecuador, seeking a solution that benefits both countries, businesses, and above all, the communities on both sides of the border,” she said.
“However, we have not received a positive response.” Tensions escalated further last month when 14 people were killed in explosions in Colombia as Ecuador conducted a security operation nearby. Ecuador denied violating the border and said it was examining how its explosives entered Colombian territory.
Colombia has already halted energy sales to Ecuador, a critical supply during droughts when hydroelectric dams dry up. Ecuador also imports significant quantities of medicines and pesticides from Colombia. In 2025, Colombia reported a $1.02 billion trade surplus with Ecuador.
Bogotá has also raised the issue with the CAN Andean trade bloc. The government said implementation of the higher tariffs would begin immediately, framing the move as a response to Ecuador’s latest increase and part of its broader push to address the dispute through regional channels.