Colombia’s Petro accuses Ecuador of dropping a bomb on its territory, as Noboa denies the claims and blames Colombian criminal groups for border infiltration
BOGOTÁ: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Ecuador of dropping a bomb on Colombian territory near their shared border. He posted a photo on social media of an unexploded device found near a family home.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa swiftly denied the allegation, stating his military was operating within its own borders. He blamed Colombian criminal groups for infiltrating Ecuador due to what he called Colombian negligence.
Petro called for a thorough investigation into the incident. He claimed the device could only have been dropped from a plane during a speech on Tuesday.
Local farmers corroborated the account, expressing fear that the devices could explode. Colombian troops have since been deployed to the area as a precaution.
Noboa retorted that Ecuador is bombing locations serving as hideouts for largely Colombian criminal groups. The exchange marks a significant spike in tensions between the leftist and right-wing leaders.
Petro further insisted there were “27 charred bodies” and that Noboa’s explanation was not credible. The Colombian army could not immediately clarify this claim when contacted.
The two nations share a 586-kilometer border plagued by guerrilla groups and criminal organisations. These groups engage in drug, weapons, and people trafficking, as well as illegal mining.
Tensions have flared before, notably in 2008 when Colombia struck a FARC target on Ecuadoran soil. The current dispute follows Ecuador’s recent anti-drug operations with US support.
Ecuador also joined the US-led “Shield of the Americas” coalition this month. Colombia, like other left-wing Latin American governments, was not invited to join the group.
Petro has complained about the exclusion despite recent Bogota-Washington agreements to coordinate against cartels. About 70% of cocaine from Colombia and Peru transits through Ecuador for export.
