Two days before the presidential elections in Colombia, the candidateAbelardo de la Espriella announced an agreement with the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, which will lead to the elimination of tariffs applied to Colombian products starting June 1.
The decision was confirmed by the Ecuadorian president himself after a virtual conversation held this Friday with the Colombian candidate. Noboa explained that the measure is part of a broader understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, and security.
Images from the virtual meeting.
"We have reached an agreement with Abelardo de la Espriella to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, and security, for the benefit of both countries", expressed the Ecuadorian president on his social media.
During the conversation, Noboa recalled that the trade restrictions implemented months ago were in response to the need to protect Ecuadorian borders and combat transnational crime. However, he noted that both parties agreed to move towards a new stage of regional cooperation.
As a result of that dialogue, Ecuador will eliminate the so-called security fee applied to imports from Colombia. "As of June first, the security fee will be lifted. There will be a 0% security fee", affirmed Noboa.
De la Espriella thanked the decision and highlighted the impact it will have on entrepreneurs, merchants, and workers in border regions. The candidate stated that the measure represents an opportunity to recover economic dynamism and strengthen ties between two countries historically connected by trade.
Additionally, both leaders advanced in building a common agenda to address challenges related to drug trafficking, illegal mining, organized crime, and narco-terrorism. Noboa confirmed that they agreed on cooperation mechanisms to facilitate the extradition of Ecuadorian criminals found in Colombian territory, as well as greater trade openness between both nations.
Photograph of the massive campaign closing of Abelardo.
From De la Espriella's campaign, they emphasized that the understanding demonstrates the possibility of rebuilding international relations based on security, mutual respect, and shared benefit. They also pointed out that the agreement constitutes a concrete step to improve the economic conditions of border areas and strengthen regional integration.
The announcement comes in the final stretch of the Colombian presidential campaign and represents one of the most significant international endorsements obtained by De la Espriella in recent weeks, further consolidating a rapprochement with the government of Daniel Noboa, one of the main regional leaders in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.
