Ecuador raises tariffs on Colombian goods to 100% as Colombia recalls its ambassador; Remittances set all-time record; Noboa promises no April blackouts

Beginning May 1, most Colombian products entering Ecuador will pay a 100% tariff. Ecuador’s Production and Trade Ministry announced the new tariff schedule Thursday, citing the Colombian government’s “refusal to implement concrete and effective measures of border security.”

Currently, the two countries pay a 50% tariff on imports.

Truckers who transport goods between Ecuador and Colombia are angry about the tariff war between the two countries.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the new charge “a monstrosity” and said it rendered the Andean Pact, of which Ecuador and Colombia are members, “meaningless.” He added that Colombia will take measures to join Mercosur, a trade organization that includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. “We prefer to be part of an organization whose members work cooperatively and follow the rules,” he said.

On Thursday night, export and transport organizations from Ecuador and Colombia criticized the new tariffs. A statement by Ecuadorian truckers blamed Ecuador President Daniel Noboa of “putting his personal politics above the livelihoods of the country’s citizens.”

Also on Thursday, Colombia recalled its ambassador to Ecuador, matching Wednesday’s move by Ecuador.

Remittances set all-time record
Money sent home from Ecuadorians living abroad set a record in 2025 and for the first time in 50 years exceeded the income the government made from oil exports. The $7.93 billion total also debunked predictions that changes of U.S. immigration policies would lead to a drop in remittances.

According to Ecuador’s Central Bank, remittances grew 18.2% over those from 2024, the largest year-to-year increase since records were kept. The bank reported that remittances amounted to 6.6% of Ecuador’s gross national product (GDP) in 2025.

Among GDP income sources, only shrimp sales exceeded the amount of remittances in 2025, totaling $8.4 billion. Proceeds from oil sales were $7.75 billion.

More than 70% of remittances to Ecuador came from the U.S. while about 20% came from Spain.

Noboa promises no April blackouts
President Daniel Noboa promised Thursday there would be no electrical blackouts in April. “We have more than sufficient capacity to meet demand this month and the seasonal rains that begin at the end of the month will ensure that we have continuing capacity,” he said in a Quito radio interview.

“We are covering current power demands of up to 5,600 megawatts, which is higher than normal due to the heat wave on the coast, but this will drop as the weather changes,” he said.

The president added that the more than 400 megawatts of capacity have been added in recent months at thermoelectric plants in Esmeraldas and Quevedo,and more will soon be added in Pascuales and from two wind farms. “Because of the additions to the power grid we are able to allow the reservoir level at Mazar to rise, which means we are building a reserve for future demand.”