The United States has announced it will not impose tariffs on Colombia after Bogotá agreed to accept deported migrants without restrictions, the White House stated. This decision comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to levy a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods in response to the country barring two U.S. military deportation flights from landing.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially resisted, stating that repatriated citizens should be returned on civilian planes and treated with dignity, rather than as criminals. However, a White House statement revealed that Colombia had since agreed to accept migrants on U.S. military aircraft without limitations. Colombia’s government emphasized that it would maintain dialogue with the U.S. to ensure the dignity of its citizens.
The White House framed the agreement as a success for Trump’s firm stance on immigration after the two nations exchanged pointed remarks on social media. Colombia’s Foreign Ministry later announced that the diplomatic impasse had been resolved, mere hours after Petro criticized Trump’s policies in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the measures as a “blockade.”
Trump’s Tariff Threat Sparks Diplomatic Resolution
President Petro had initially barred U.S. military deportation flights, insisting that migrants be treated with respect and dignity. In retaliation, Trump announced what he described as “urgent and decisive measures,” including tariffs and visa sanctions.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce the plans, prompting a strong response from Petro on X. In his post, Petro dismissed the threat, saying, “Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world.”
Despite the heated exchanges, the two sides reached an agreement within hours. The White House confirmed that Colombia had acceded to Trump’s demands, with a warning that the proposed tariffs were ready to be implemented if the agreement was not honored.
Visa sanctions and increased border inspections for Colombians will remain in place until the first deportation flights are successfully carried out, the White House added.
Colombia’s Commitment to Returning Citizens
Colombia’s Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo reaffirmed the country’s readiness to receive deportees while ensuring their rights and dignity. The government prepared President Petro’s plane to facilitate the return of citizens who were meant to arrive on the blocked military flights.
Murillo is scheduled to travel to Washington for high-level discussions in the coming days, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to expand its immigration enforcement efforts. Federal agents conducted targeted immigration arrests in Chicago, accompanied by the newly appointed “border czar,” Tom Homan. Homan emphasized the need for increased congressional funding for border enforcement, including expanding detention capacity to accommodate an additional 100,000 beds.
The recent passage of the Laken Riley Act by the U.S. Congress significantly bolsters immigration authorities’ powers to detain migrants.
Source: BBC
