Colombian President Petro announces lawsuit after Ecuadorian President Noboa links him to drug lord

(Patria) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated on Sunday that he will sue his Ecuadorian counterpart, Daniel Noboa, who accused him of connections to the leader of a ruthless criminal organization, deepening a diplomatic and trade crisis between the two South American nations, AP reported.

Petro announced his decision in a post on the social network X, in which he did not provide details of the lawsuit, including the country and location where he plans to file it.

His threat is the latest twist in an ongoing dispute between ideologically opposed presidents whose countries are struggling with rising crime fueled by drug trafficking.

Noboa told Ecuadorian newspapers on Saturday that Petro had met with members of Ecuador's largest political opposition party, some of whom “have connections with Fito.”

Noboa was referring to Adolfo Macías, known by the nickname “Fito,” the leader of one of Ecuador's most powerful criminal organizations, who was extradited to the United States last year on drug and arms trafficking charges.

Noboa did not present any evidence to support his claim. Petro denied knowing Macías.

“I have decided to file a criminal lawsuit against President Noboa for his defamation,” Petro wrote on X on Sunday.

He also explained that Noboa had ordered the Ecuadorian army to protect him 24 hours a day when he visited the coastal city of Manta in May for Noboa's inauguration for his second term.

The city of Manta has long been a hub for the trafficking of cocaine produced in Colombia. The Ecuadorian government did not immediately respond to AP's requests for comment.

Petro's announcement comes amid a dispute between the two leaders that has pushed Colombia and Ecuador into a trade war since January, when Noboa unilaterally imposed tariffs on Colombian imports, citing a lack of control on their shared border.

Colombia responded with its own tariffs and suspension of energy sales, while Ecuador progressively increased its tariff from 30% to 50% and finally to 100%. The latest increase will take effect next month.