The Ecuadorian government has closed nearly all border crossings with Colombia and Peru for national security reasons, leaving only Rumichaca and Huaquillas open from December 24, 2025. This measure aims to curb drug and arms smuggling across porous borders exceeding 600 km with Colombia and 1,500 km with Peru. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry notified the neighboring governments of the decision.
The Ecuadorian government has implemented a drastic measure to bolster security along its land borders. Starting December 24, 2025, only the international crossings at Rumichaca—as the sole entry point from Colombia—and Huaquillas from Peru will remain open. This decision addresses concerns over illegal drug and arms trafficking, given the extensive and porous nature of these borders: over 600 kilometers with Colombia and nearly 1,500 with Peru, two key cocaine exporters.
Ecuador's Foreign Ministry announced the measure via its X account, stressing national security reasons. "From December 24, 2025, only the international crossings at Rumichaca and Huaquillas will remain enabled (...) this measure responds to national security reasons and has been duly notified to the Governments of Colombia and Peru," stated the official communiqué.
The government also issued messages discouraging illegal migration and promoting legal pathways to reside in the country. This policy aims to reduce risks from hard-to-access borders that enable smuggling. As a neighbor to major cocaine producers, Ecuador hopes the restriction will curb illicit flows without disrupting legitimate trade at the designated points.
