Colombia Imposes 100% Tariffs on Ecuador as Diplomatic Rupture Deepens

Colombia matched Ecuador's 100% tariff rate on imports from its neighbor on April 10, 2026, deepening a trade and diplomatic rupture between the two South American nations that has now halted energy flows, suspended ambassador-level contacts, and raised the prospect of Colombia exiting a regional trade bloc. Colombia's trade ministry announced the increase from 30%, according to Reuters, though web search results indicate the previous Colombian rate may have been as low as 30% — with Ecuador's rate rising from 50%, according to web search, before reaching the current 100% on both sides. Colombian Trade Minister Diana Morales said her government had exhausted every diplomatic avenue before acting. The move came one day after Ecuador raised its own tariff on Colombian goods from 50% to 100%, with that measure set to take effect on May 1, 2026, according to Business Insider. The Andean Community dispute has now drawn in business associations, trade tribunals, and presidential rhetoric on both sides of a 586-kilometer shared border.

Ambassadors recalled as Glas dispute inflames tensions The diplomatic breakdown accelerated sharply this week after Colombian President Gustavo Petro described former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas as a "political prisoner" and called for his release. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa responded by recalling his ambassador in Bogotá for consultations, calling Petro's remarks an assault on Ecuadorian sovereignty. Petro then ordered the "immediate" return of Colombia's ambassador to Quito, María Antonia Velasco, and announced that his next cabinet meeting would be held near the Ecuadorian border as a political signal. Jorge Glas has been convicted in multiple corruption cases and is an ally of former Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa, a political adversary of Noboa. Petro had previously granted Colombian nationality to Glas and called for him to be transferred to Colombian custody, moves Noboa's government rejected as interference in domestic affairs. Noboa stated he would not negotiate substantively with Petro's administration, suggesting meaningful talks would only be possible with a future Colombian government — a pointed reference to Colombia's presidential elections scheduled for May 31, 2026. „Unfortunately, agreements cannot be reached with someone who does not have the same commitment to fight against narcoterrorism. Since we took this measure, violent deaths have been reduced by 33% on the northern border.” — Daniel Noboa via France 24

Petro threatens to quit Andean bloc and join Mercosur Petro called Ecuador's tariff escalation a "monstrosity" and raised the possibility of Colombia withdrawing entirely from the Andean Community to seek full membership in Mercosur. „This is simply a monstrosity but it means the end of the Andean Pact for Colombia. We have nothing more to do there. The foreign minister must initiate the step in Mercosur to be full partners and head towards the Caribbean and Central America with more force.” — Gustavo Petro via France 24 Colombia's foreign ministry confirmed it was pursuing full Mercosur accession, while simultaneously filing a legal complaint before the Andean Community alleging that Ecuador's tariffs violate the 1969 Cartagena Agreement. Ecuador's chief diplomat, Gabriela Sommerfeld, told reporters that CAN-mediated negotiations between the two countries are currently suspended. Colombia has also halted electricity sales to Ecuador, a supply that proved critical during Ecuador's 2024 drought, when the country suffered blackouts of up to 14 hours per day. Petro, who is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, has four months remaining in office and has positioned his government as the frontrunner to keep the left in power in the May elections, according to France 24.

Businesses warn of mounting economic damage on both sides The heads of Colombia's and Ecuador's main business associations, Bruce Mac Master and María Paz Jervis, issued a joint statement urging both presidents to reach an agreement and warning that the tariffs are already inflicting significant economic harm. 250 (million USD per month) — bilateral trade volume between Colombia and Ecuador Colombia exported goods worth approximately $1.8 billion to Ecuador in 2025, according to Bloomberg, while France 24 cited the national trade association Analdex reporting exports of $1.846 billion and imports of $830 million, leaving Colombia with a trade surplus of roughly $1.02 billion for that year. Ecuador imports medicines, vehicles, cosmetics, and plastics from Colombia, while Colombia buys vegetable oils, canned tuna, minerals, and metals from Ecuador. Ecuador justified the tariff escalation by arguing it has had to spend approximately $400 million additionally to secure the shared border, where drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, illegal mining, and armed groups operate. Colombia denied the accusations of inaction, pointing to joint military operations and citing what Petro called the largest cocaine seizure in the country's history. The tariff war began with Ecuador imposing a 30% rate in February 2026, rising to 50% in March, and now reaching 100% — a trajectory that business leaders on both sides warned could sever one of South America's most integrated bilateral trade relationships.

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