Ecuador's border closure disrupts life in border areas
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Quito, Dec. 29 (Prensa Latina) Communities in Ecuador are reporting disruptions to traffic, agriculture, commerce, and tourism due to the partial closure of border crossings, while the government defends the measure on the grounds of national security.

On the northern border, the only crossing open with Colombia is the Rumichaca International Bridge in the province of Carchi.

The closure has rendered inoperable access points used daily by the communities of Urbina, Tufino, and El Carmelo, home to some 9,000 people.

According to a report by the local television station Ecuavisa, currently, there is no vehicular traffic, and those who live in Colombia but work in agriculture and livestock farming in Ecuador are crossing on foot to reach their jobs, while goods are being carried across on their shoulders.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the restriction on passage is a unilateral decision by the Ecuadorian government, adopted after analyses focused on security control and combating organized crime.

On the southern border, tourism sectors expressed concern about the economic impact of the closure with Peru, whose only access is through Huaquillas.

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