Colombia 2026 Elections: Rafael Correa criticizes Abelardo de la Espriella for endorsing “interference” by Daniel Noboa

“Is everything okay, Abelardo? You must be desperate for you to insult your own country with the grotesque interference of a guy like Noboa. Do you understand what he has done in Ecuador?”Correa wrote on his X social network account.

The former president, an ally of the Colombian president, Gustavo Petrosaid in another message that he thought “a shame“that the far-right would welcome”to a president who unilaterally attacks his own country because – after arbitrarily raising tariffs to 100% – he is now going to do the ‘favor’ of reducing them”, in reference to Noboa.

“Colombians: Do you really want what happens in Ecuador to happen in Colombia? Ecuador is destroyed by an inept, corrupt and surrendering Government. There are no medicines, electricity, jobs, security. There is no democracy. Parties and acting mayors are banned“added the leader of the Citizen Revolutionthe main opposition party in Ecuador that is currently suspended.

Noboa announced the measure last night in a video call with the far-right candidate, disclosed on social networks two days before the first round of the Colombian elections, which also led the Petro Government to denounce alleged interference in the country’s internal affairs.

The Ecuadorian president explained in X that he made the decision after confirming the “willpower” by De la Espriella from “promote a real and joint fight against narcoterrorism” and that they also agreed to hand over Ecuadorian criminals who are in Colombian territory.

The Chancellery of Colombia described as “deceptive” Noboa’s statement and assured that it was not a measure of good will by the Ecuadorian ruler, but rather that it responded to compliance with orders issued by the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN).

Ecuador and Colombia are immersed in a trade war started by President Noboa, who announced in January the imposition of a “safety rate” to imports from the neighboring country, considering the actions of the Petro Government against drug trafficking and other criminal activities on the common border insufficient.

The measure, harshly criticized by businessmen and merchants from both countries, came into effect in February with a tax of 30%, it was later raised to 50% and reached 100% since last May 1.

Colombia responded with tariffs on Ecuadorian products that range up to 75%.

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