The measure responds to the 30% tariff and prioritizes Colombian energy security.
News Colombia.
The commercial relationship between Ecuador and Colombia entered a new stage of tension after the announcement by the Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboawho imposed a 30% tariff on all imported Colombian products. The decision, announced on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 21, marked the beginning of a trade war between both countries, with immediate responses from Bogotá.
As Noboa explained in a message published on the X social network, the measure responds to the lack of results in bilateral cooperation efforts. “Even with a trade deficit that exceeds one billion dollars annually. While we have insisted on dialogue, our military continues to confront criminal groups tied to drug trafficking on the border without any cooperation,” said the Ecuadorian president.
The president was emphatic in warning that the tariff will remain in force until there is a real commitment from Colombia to jointly confront drug trafficking and illegal mining on the common border.
Colombia, one of Ecuador’s main trading partners
Official figures show the magnitude of the impact. According to him Colombian Ministry of Commercewith a cut-off date of November 2025, Exports of services to Ecuador reach 3,769 million dollarswhile the Export of goods exceeds 31.6 billion dollars.
Among the Colombian products with the greatest presence in the Ecuadorian market are electrical energydosed medications, insecticides, rodenticides, vehicles for transporting goods, threads and cables, hair products, cane sugar and other industrial and consumer goods.
Colombia responds and suspends energy exports to Ecuador
After learning of Ecuador’s announcement, the Colombian government rejected the imposition of the tariff and made a strategic decision. In the early hours of this Thursday, January 22, the Ministry of Mines and Energy issued a resolution that suspends international electricity transactions between Colombia and Ecuador.
The portfolio explained that it is a preventive measure to protect the sovereignty and energy security of the countryin a context marked by climate variability and early warnings of a possible arrival of a new phenomenon of The Child.
Colombia takes measures to safeguard its energy sovereignty and stops electricity transactions with Ecuador
Given the current conditions of the electrical system, the government of @petrogustavo decided to temporarily suspend electricity transactions with Ecuador, a… pic.twitter.com/FXNESUgg2w
— Minenergía (@MinEnergiaCo) January 22, 2026
According to the Ministry, the decision is based on technical analysis of the national energy balanceclimate monitoring of IDEAM and the reports of National Dispatch Centerwhich show greater pressure on the electrical system, intensive operation of thermoelectric plants and the need to prioritize internal demand.
“The State’s duty is to guarantee that homes, industry and essential services have safe and reliable energy. This is a responsible, preventive and sovereign decision,” said the Minister of Mines and Energy, Edwin Palma.
The resolution empowers the Ministry to modify, suspend or reactivate energy exports according to the evolution of climatic and energy conditions. Furthermore, it makes it clear that exchanges will only be resumed when technical, commercial and trust conditions exist between both countries.
Ecuador depends on Colombia for a significant part of its electrical energy, especially in times of drought, with percentages that have oscillated between 8% and 10% of your total demandeven reaching peaks of 15% during recent crises, although this figure may vary depending on the moment and need.
He also announced the application of a 30% tax on the import of 20 products from Ecuador, as a proportional, temporary and reviewable response to the alteration of bilateral trade conditions.
Ecuador announces reciprocity and targets Colombian crude oil
The Ecuadorian response was immediate. After the suspension of energy sales, the Minister of Environment and Energy of Ecuador, Inés Manzanoannounced the application of a reciprocity principle on Colombian crude oil.
In a brief message on social networks, Manzano indicated that the transportation rate for Colombian oil through the OCP (Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline) will have the same treatment received by Ecuador in the case of electricity.
“Ecuador prioritizes its border security, its trade balance and its energy security. The transportation rate for Colombian crude oil through the OCP will have the reciprocity received in the case of electricity,” stated the minister.
Ecuador prioritizes its border security, its trade balance, as well as its energy security.
The transportation rate for Colombian crude oil by the OCP will have the reciprocity received in the case of electricity.
— Ines Manzano (@inesmanzano) January 22, 2026
He OCP It is a key infrastructure for Ecuador, as it transports oil from the Amazon to the coast for export. From 2013this pipeline also allows the Colombian crude oil transportationwhich makes this measure a new critical point within the commercial and diplomatic conflict.
From the Colombian government They insisted that, despite the measures adopted, the priority remains overcoming the crisis through diplomatic channels and bilateral dialogue. Official spokespersons indicated that Colombia maintains its willingness to work with Ecuador in the search for joint solutions that allow for reestablishing cooperation on trade, energy and border security issues, always under mutual respect, the sovereignty of each country and the well-being of its citizens.
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