Colombia imposed retaliatory 100% tariffs on imports from Ecuador on Friday, a dramatic move that further intensifies tensions between the two governments. Trade Minister Diana Morales said in a statement from her office that Colombia had exhausted diplomatic avenues and was compelled to mirror the duties Ecuador put in place earlier this week.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, identified in reporting as an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, instituted tariffs on Colombian goods in January. Quito framed that action as a response to what it described as insufficient cooperation on border security and an inability to prevent flows of cocaine through the dense jungles and mountain areas that cross the frontier.
Those initial duties set off a reciprocal pattern of tariff increases, with Colombia’s administration under President Gustavo Petro responding in kind. In announcing the 100% rate, the Colombian government emphasized its decision was a matching measure to the import duties Quito enacted this week.
Trade ties are substantial: in 2025 Colombia exported $1.8 billion worth of goods to Ecuador, according to the national statistics agency. The tariff escalation arrives alongside diplomatic moves from Bogotá. President Petro stated on Friday that his government remains committed to combating drug trafficking and that he had recalled Colombia’s ambassador to Quito. He also said the next cabinet meeting would be convened near the Ecuadorian border.
Security incidents have intensified the dispute. Last month, 14 people were killed in explosions on Colombian territory while Ecuador was conducting a security operation nearby. Ecuador has denied crossing the border and said it was investigating how explosives ended up in Colombian territory.
Economic and infrastructure links have already been disrupted. Colombia has stopped energy exports to Ecuador, shipments that Quito relies on during droughts when hydroelectric output falls. In addition, Ecuador imports notable volumes of medicines and pesticides from Colombia, goods that could be affected by the new tariffs and related trade disruptions.
Contextual note: The Colombian trade ministry framed the tariff as a reciprocal response after diplomatic efforts were exhausted, citing a formal statement from the ministry.