Ecuador to raise tariffs on Colombian imports to 100% from 50% on May 1

Ecuador will raise tariffs on imports from neighboring Colombia to 100% from 50%, the government said on Thursday, citing what it described as Colombia’s failure to implement concrete and effective border security measures. The increase is set to take effect on May 1.

“After confirming Colombia’s failure to implement concrete and effective border security measures, Ecuador is compelled to take sovereign action,” the government said in a statement. Quito has previously justified the trade measures by saying Colombia is not doing enough to combat drug trafficking near their shared border.

The latest hike follows a series of increases this year: Ecuador first imposed a 30% tariff at the end of January, then raised it to 50% in late February. The government has also cited a trade deficit as a reason for the tariffs. Colombia has repeatedly rejected the accusations and says it conducts regular joint counter-narcotics operations with Ecuadorean security forces.

Bogotá has imposed reciprocal tariffs on some Ecuadorean products and has halted energy sales to Ecuador, which are described as key during droughts when hydroelectric output falls. Ecuador also relies on imports of medicines and pesticides from Colombia. Neither Colombia’s trade nor foreign ministries immediately responded to requests for comment.

The tariff escalation adds pressure to a fraught cross-border relationship and could disrupt supply chains ahead of the May 1 implementation date.