Ecuador announced that it would raise tariffs on Colombian imports from 50% to 100% starting on May 1 due to "Colombia's failure to implement concrete and effective border security ‌measures," Reuters reported on April 9, citing a government statement. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the move and ordered the Colombian ambassador to Ecuador, Maria Antonia Velasco, to return to Colombia immediately.

The incident is the latest escalation in the diplomatic dispute between the two countries, with tensions rising earlier the same week after Petro criticized Ecuador's arrest of former Vice President Jorge Glas, whom Petro labeled a political prisoner. Petro's comment led Ecuador to recall its ambassador from Colombia. In January, Ecuador imposed 30% tariffs on Colombia, then raised them to 50% in February.