The General Secretariat of the regional bloc ordered on May 7 the removal, within 10 working days, of the so-called security tax imposed by Quito on Colombian imports, considering that it violates the Cartagena Agreement.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld stated on Monday that the country respects the CAN’s decision but will defend its interests, and noted that it has arguments to justify the measure.

Sommerfeld explained that a coordinated response is being prepared among several state institutions, including the Attorney General’s Office, the Legal Secretariat of the Presidency, the Production Ministry, and the National Customs Service.

The controversy began on January 21, when Noboa announced a 30 percent tariff on Colombian products, arguing that Colombia does not exercise sufficient control over the shared border in the fight against drug trafficking, a claim denied by Bogota.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has expressed his willingness to lift the tariffs if President Noboa’s administration does the same.

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