Noboa meets President-elect De la Espriella in Cali on border security, trade, and energy

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa met with Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella in Cali, Colombia, to discuss key bilateral issues including border security, trade, and energy cooperation. The meeting took place shortly before De la Espriella's inauguration.

Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Kury, stated that beyond congratulating the president-elect, the discussion focused on three strategic points vital for both nations: border security, trade liberalization, and energy matters. Kury indicated that technical working groups would be formed between the two governments to further explore these topics and expand the dialogue, signaling a new phase in Ecuador-Colombia relations.

"This is a new stage for the relationship between Ecuador and Colombia. Its leaders share the same vision, a vision focused on the benefit of citizens, on strengthening the economy, on strengthening security on the border. So we are going to work hand in hand very well with the new president-elect," the minister added.

These three areas are critical for both countries, especially following a trade dispute between February and June 2026. Ecuador had imposed tariffs, escalating to 100%, to pressure the outgoing Colombian administration over perceived inaction on criminal violence attributed to cocaine trafficking from Colombia. Colombia had retaliated by suspending energy sales to Ecuador, a measure only recently reversed.

The trade war concluded after intervention from the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), though Noboa attributed its end partly to an agreement with De la Espriella prior to the election. President Noboa attended De la Espriella's inauguration ceremony later that day, alongside other international dignitaries.