Overview
- President Gustavo Petro said weapons and explosives used in a recent attack in Cauca entered Colombia from Ecuador and directed the Armed Forces to verify their origin.
- The blast on the Pan-American Highway near Cajibío killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 30, and the government attributes the attack to FARC dissidents.
- Petro cited a Revista Raya report on contracts with the firm Jamilsecurity to allege links between Ecuadorian officials and Los Choneros, the gang led by José Adolfo Macías, known as “Fito.”
- Economic and diplomatic friction has intensified as Ecuador raised tariffs on Colombian imports up to 100% and both countries recalled their ambassadors.
- Colombia and Ecuador share a 586-kilometer border that criminal networks exploit for arms and drug smuggling, which strains local security and cross-border commerce.