The Ecuadorian government has announced a significant increase in tariffs on imports from Colombia, raising the rate from 30 percent to 50 percent effective March 1.

This decision, announced on Thursday, marks a major escalation in the intensifying trade and security dispute between the two neighboring Andean countries.

Ecuador's right-wing President Daniel Noboa has been pressuring Colombia's left-wing leader Gustavo Petro to enhance border security, blaming him for insufficient action against drug trafficking. Ecuador also cites a growing trade deficit to justify the protectionist measures.

According to government data, Ecuador's trade deficit with Colombia, excluding oil, is approximately $1.03 billion through 2025.

However, it remains unclear whether the new tariffs will apply to Colombian electricity—a critical resource for Ecuador. Following the initial tariffs, Colombia suspended all energy sales to its neighbor, potentially exacerbating power supply issues in Ecuador.

Fossil fuel transportation has also become a flashpoint. Noboa's government increased fees for Colombian crude delivered via the Trans-Ecuadorian System Oil Pipeline (SOTE) by 900 percent, to about $30 per barrel, prompting Colombia to halt all oil shipments through the line.

Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions persist. Ecuador's Ministry of Production and Foreign Trade criticized Colombia for failing to implement "concrete and effective" measures to curb drug trafficking along the border.

Source: www.aljazeera.com