LatinNews Daily - 26 January 2026

*Colombia’s ministry of trade, industry, and tourism (Mincit) has announced a list of 73 imports from Ecuador that will be hit with a 30% tariff following Ecuador’s announcement last week of 30% tariffs on Colombian imports due to the country’s alleged failure to combat crime in the border region. The Colombian tariffs mainly target agricultural produce, such as rice, beans, and cooking oils; chemical products; and manufactured metal and plastic goods. A Mincit statement emphasised Colombia’s openness to dialogue and stated that “these measures do not seek to escalate tensions or permanently affect the trade relationship between both countries”. Amid concern from business lobbies in both countries about the impact of the tariffs, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld said on 23 January that a bilateral meeting could be held this week to seek a path forward. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said on 24 January that he was open to discussions with Ecuador but said that these should focus on improving port security as he again claimed that Ecuadorean ports are a key gateway into the Americas of precursor chemicals for the production of fentanyl.

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