Russia bans Ecuador's banana imports in response to proposed U.S. weapons deal
The Kremlin's decision to cut back on Ecuador's top exports is believed by various media outlets and politicians in this South American country to be connected not only to the Ecuadorian Defense Ministry's weapon transfer plans but also to President Noboa's labelling of these weapons as "scrap".
Feb 6, 2024 | updated: 4:12 AM EST, March 7, 2024
The Brazilian online journal "A Referencia", which specializes in geopolitical issues, indicated that Washington plans to give the weaponry acquired from Ecuador to the Ukrainian army, currently fighting against the Russian invasion.
Concerns over Russian weaponry
The Quito-based newspaper "El Universo" recently emphasized President Daniel Noboa's concerns that the old Russian equipment left in Ecuador is a potential threat, prone to being seized by the numerous criminal groups in the country.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin asserts that Quito has no right to ship Russian weapons to the US, as their agreement with Ecuador concerning weapon supply stipulates a clause prohibiting third-party transfers.
Moscow responds
During a media interview on Monday, Carlos Estarellas, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, stated that the restrictions on banana purchases stand as Russia's "retaliation" against the decision of Quito's authorities.
Estrellas expressed hope that the Kremlin would soon revoke the ban on leading Ecuadorian banana exporters following a diplomatic resolution of the crisis.
Bananas are a critical export product from Ecuador to Russia. According to data from the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), bananas worth $690 million were shipped to Russia in 2023.
According to Fedexpor, Russia's share in Ecuador's total export of goods is 5%. Other products Russia most frequently imports from this South American country include coffee and shrimp.
