Ecuador’s Border Tensions with Colombia
On Wednesday, Ecuador’s President Daniel Novoa accused Colombia’s far-left leader, Gustavo Petro, of facilitating a guerrilla incursion across Ecuador’s northern border. It’s notable, though, that Novoa hasn’t shared any evidence to back up this claim.
In a social media statement, Novoa mentioned, “Multiple sources have informed me that at the instigation of the Petro regime, Colombian guerrillas have invaded across the northern border. We will protect our borders and our people. President Petro, please focus on improving the lives of your people instead of trying to export problems to your neighbors.”
This situation isn’t new. Throughout 2026, the two presidents have found themselves at odds, particularly after Novoa accused Petro of failing to cooperate against issues like cross-border drug trafficking and illegal mining. In late January, Ecuador’s Defense Minister, John Reinberg, pointed out that Colombia was doing “nothing” to tackle drug trafficking, which has surged along their shared 372-mile border.
Amidst this backdrop, Novoa imposed hefty tariffs on Colombian goods—especially a dramatic 900% tariff on all Colombian crude oil. This move raised the price of oil significantly and saw a planned increase in tariffs on other imports from Colombia. The Colombian government announced it would respond with similar measures on a range of Ecuadorian products.
In light of the accusations, Petro invited Novoa to meet at the northern border, suggesting they should focus on building peace instead of trading accusations. He urged, “Let’s stop believing the lies.”
Recent events have only intensified the conflict. A bomb attack on a public transport bus by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) near Cazibio resulted in the deaths of 21 civilians. Following this incident, Petro has called for an investigation to determine if the explosives used originated from Ecuador, hinting at potential interference in the upcoming presidential elections on May 31.
Interestingly, Petro has asserted that while Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer, Ecuadorian ports play a major role in its exportation, which he claims is due to less stringent monitoring compared to Colombia. He has also indicated plans to sue Novoa for defamation.
In a recent report, it was alleged that during a visit to Ecuador for Novoa’s inauguration, Petro met with associates of José Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, a known leader of a significant gang in Ecuador. Novoa has stated that this meeting occurred and expressed concerns over Petro’s connections, although he admitted he couldn’t confirm a direct meeting between them.
Petro, however, has denied any involvement with criminal figures, expressing that he only attended the inauguration and returned with criminals captured in Ecuador. He characterized Novoa’s claims as misleading, akin to those of former President Trump, suggesting that right-wing elements in Colombia are feeding Novoa falsehoods.
