The measure, which will take effect on May 1, will impact the bordering region, where the flow of heavy transport has dropped drastically, and productive sectors are warning of a possible trade suspension.

The daily transit of some 200 trucks has been reduced to just 20 in the northern province of Carchi, the sector’s leaders said, and reports days with no vehicle traffic between the two countries since the tariff war began in February.

Carlos Bastidas, president of the heavy transport association in Carchi, said on television that the measure will have economic and social consequences.

Omar Guerron, vice president of the National Federation of Heavy Transport, insisted that trade policy should not be mixed with security.

President Daniel Noboa defended the Executive’s decision, linking it to the fight against organized crime on the border.

The tariff escalation comes amid a context of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, including differences over border security, trade, and the case of former Vice President Jorge Glas, whom Colombian President Gustavo Petro described as a “political prisoner.”

abo/iff/jha/avr