President Donald Trump on Sunday announced harsh new tariffs on Colombian imports and visa restrictions in response to Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s refusal to allow U.S. military flights carrying deported Colombian migrants to land.
Shortly after Trump's announcement, Petro stated that Colombia would provide a presidential plane to facilitate the "dignified return" of Colombian migrants facing deportation from the U.S.
"The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals," Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning, prompting Trump's swift response. "I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory. The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them."
After learning that two repatriation flights were blocked from landing in Colombia, Trump escalated the dispute by announcing:
“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!”
Trump’s actions align with his hardline immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations of undocumented migrants. During his first week in office, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and ordered U.S. troops to assist with deportations, leading to deportees being flown back in handcuffs.
Colombia’s largest exports to the U.S. include crude oil, coffee, and cut flowers, according to the State Department. Trump has also threatened tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, raising concerns of potential trade wars as his administration moves aggressively on its economic and immigration policies.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest financial insights and news.
+
