Colombia Accuses Ecuador of Election Meddling Amid Tariff Conflict

Colombia's foreign ministry accused Ecuador of deliberately interfering in its presidential election after Ecuador's leader agreed to lift tariffs in a conversation with a Colombian candidate. The two nations have been locked in a trade dispute triggered by Ecuador's tariffs linked to Colombia's alleged failure to curb border drug trafficking.

Colombia's foreign ministry has publicly accused Ecuador of 'deliberate interference' in its presidential election, set for Sunday, amid an ongoing tariff dispute. The accusation follows Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's decision to lift bilateral tariffs after discussions with Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella.

Noboa announced plans on X, previously Twitter, to remove tariffs on June 1 after De La Espriella committed to combating narcoterrorism. The Colombian government criticized the move, arguing it misleadingly presented Ecuador's decision as a gesture of goodwill.

The two nations have been embroiled in conflict over tariffs, implemented by Ecuador due to its claims Colombia failed in its anti-drug efforts along their shared border. De La Espriella, an independent candidate, competes against President Gustavo Petro's ally Ivan Cepeda and right-wing Senator Paloma Valencia.