Bogota-Quito Ties Still Run Cold

Diplomatic relations between Bogota and Quito remain broken a year after a border standoff. A March 2008 raid by Colombian authorities on a guerilla camp took out the second of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in command and more than 20 others. The attack, made on Ecuadorian territory, also spurred a military buildup by Quito and Caracas on their Colombian borders. Within weeks, the threat of conflict was defused. Still, squabbles continue between Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, even with mediation by the Organization of American States (OAS).

In recent remarks, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos justified the raid as an act of legitimate defense, sparking controversy in both Quito and Bogota. President Álvaro Uribe responded by reprimanding the minister. Santos’ strong statements led some to wonder if they serve as an indicator of his intention to run in next year’s presidential election.

Yet Santos’ remarks did little to curry favor in Ecuador. In an interview with RCN Radio, Ecuadorian Vice President Lenín Moreno said that “it is very difficult” to normalize bilateral relations given Santos’ declarations. The comments drew the ire of Caracas as well; the Venezuelan government issued a statement about the remarks, saying that they threaten the stability and sovereignty of countries in the region.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Fander Falconí criticized Uribe’s government for failing to handle the question of displaced people seeking refuge in and near Ecuador. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) oversees a refugee registration project launched by Quito in December. The UNHCR estimates that some 20,000 refugees live in Ecuador but that as many as 130,00 could need international protection. Additionally, the government of President Rafael Correa has stepped up operations along Ecuador’s northern border by dismantling more than 200 guerrilla camps in the last two years, Colombia’s El Pais reports.

But Colombia has its own grievances with Ecuador’s government. Data obtained from a FARC laptop during the raid raised concerns about links between the guerilla group and Ecuadorian officials. Former official José Ignacio Chauvin, a close aide to former Minister of State Gustavo Larrea, admitted that he met with FARC’s late second-in-command Raúl Reyes seven times, reports El Universo. An editorial in Ecuador’s Hoy proposes the creation of an independent commission to steer Ecuadorian politics away from the dark waters of drug-trafficking influence.

World Politics Review explains that after a year, “[B]oth sides' failure to make progress on reconciliation may be politically motivated.” The article explains that, while Correa gains support by defending Ecuador’s sovereignty at all costs, Uribe has other matters to deal with; restoring diplomatic ties with his neighbor may not stand as a top priority.

Still, despite the controversy, economic ties appear to stand strong between the neighbors. Colombian exports to Ecuador increased 16.1 percent and Ecuadorian exports to Colombia rose 10.5 percent last year, totaling more than $2 billion in 2008, according to Colombia’s Commerce Ministry.

Tensions between the two Andean nations involved OAS mediation over the past year. In an interview with AS/COA Online, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza likened his OAS role in Latin America as that of a bombero (firefighter) putting out fires across the region. As recently as February 26, Insulza visited Correa and urged reconcilation, to no avail.

A new article by the Economist looks back at raid and calls it a success in terms of inflicting permanent damage to the FARC, saying Colombia paid a small price. Colombia’s Defense Ministry reports on the massive defections facing the guerilla group. Read more about he FARC's growing weakness and signs—such as hostage releases—that it may be changing course.