On March 2, a motorized caravan lasting around five hours traversed the province of Carchi, starting from the Bolívar canton and heading towards Tulcán. Participants displayed tricolor and provincial flags, with vehicles decorated to make a slow-paced journey in protest. The caravan highlighted growing frustration among transport groups regarding the substantial increase in the security tax imposed by Ecuador, which has escalated from 30% to 50% on products entering from Colombia, amid rising tariffs from the neighboring country.

As the caravan moved along, truck drivers expressed their dissent through honking horns, signaling their discontent over the challenges faced in commercial activity due to the steep increase in tariffs. The Colombian government, on its end, has already established a 30% tariff and is considering further increases, raising concerns among Ecuadorian transporters about their livelihoods and the ease of cross-border trade. The overall sentiment among participants was one of solidarity against the rising financial pressures both governments are creating through their fiscal policies.

This mobilization reflects ongoing tensions in cross-border commerce, which could have broader implications for regional trade relations and economic stability in the area. By coming together to voice their grievances, the transport groups aim to draw attention to the adverse effects these increased costs have on local economies, amplifying the call for government intervention to renegotiate terms that could benefit both sides, particularly in the face of economic hardship and fluctuating trade dynamics.