Analyzing the Borderlands: A Regional Report on the Colombia–Ecuador Border on Political, Economic, Social, Legal, and Environment Aspects

This regional report critically analyzes the historical Colombia–Ecuador border issues using a PESL (political, economic, social, and legal) lens, extended in PESTLE, considering this a strategic planning approach, which includes the additional aspects of Legal and Environmental. Most studies of this region focus on terror, drug trafficking, and illegal border crossing, but other problems in this region remain understudied. Our review shows that, apart from the political issues, some social (gender-based violence), economic (unemployment), and legal issues (forced illicit activities) are prevalent in this border region. Mutual effective measures and policy actions are recommended to both the Colombian and Ecuadorian governments to improve border security issues, enhance economic activities, and mitigate social and environmental losses.