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Colombia-Ecuador Tensions Escalate Over Border Bombing Claims

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused Ecuador of bombing Colombian territory after 27 charred bodies were found near the border and linked the attack to U.S.-backed operations in Ecuador.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa denied the allegations, saying his military actions were confined to Ecuador.
Noboa criticized Colombia for allowing criminal groups to infiltrate Ecuador.
The dispute has led to tariffs on each other's imports amid rising drug-related violence in Ecuador.

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Story summary

Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused Ecuador of bombing Colombian territory after 27 charred bodies were found near the border and linked the attack to U.S.-backed operations in Ecuador.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa denied the allegations, saying his military actions were confined to Ecuador.
Noboa criticized Colombia for allowing criminal groups to infiltrate Ecuador.
The dispute has led to tariffs on each other's imports amid rising drug-related violence in Ecuador.