The United States and Colombia averted a trade conflict Sunday night after Colombia agreed to accept deportees on US military aircraft, a key demand from President Trump who had threatened steep tariffs on the South American nation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Colombia had accepted “all of President Trump’s terms,” including the unrestricted return of Colombian citizens who are in the US illegally. In exchange, the US will hold back draft orders that would have imposed escalating tariffs starting at 25% on Colombian goods.
The agreement came hours after Trump had threatened additional penalties including visa bans on Colombian officials and enhanced border inspections. The State Department had already suspended visa processing at the US embassy in Bogota. (White House officials initially had trouble spelling “Colombia”).
🚨BREAKING: The White House says Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms on the acceptance of illegal aliens deported back to their country. pic.twitter.com/P2VT1u9iYX
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 27, 2025
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo confirmed the agreement in a statement Sunday evening, and said Colombia would make its presidential aircraft available for returning citizens. While his statement didn’t specifically address military flights, it didn’t contradict the White House announcement. Murillo said he would travel to Washington for follow-up meetings.
Earlier Sunday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had strongly opposed military deportation flights, comparing them to Nazi tactics.
Petro makes clear that his objection is the use of military planes, and that Colombia will continue to accept deportations through standard ICE Air flights.
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) January 26, 2025
As I’ve mentioned before, the use of military planes for deportations touched a nerve in Latin America. https://t.co/XTDFNPMyhd
Colombia's president confirms his objection was related to the Trump administration's use of military planes to deport migrants. He says civilian planes should be used.
— Camilo Montoya-Galvez (@camiloreports) January 26, 2025
Colombia should be "respected," he adds.https://t.co/NUcE4wNdcX
He later offered his presidential plane to facilitate what he called the “dignified return” of Colombian citizens.
COLOMBIA OFFERS PRESIDENTIAL PLANE TO HELP REPATRIATE DEPORTEES FROM US: CNN
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) January 26, 2025
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is offering his presidential plane to help repatriate deportees from the US who were set to arrive in the country Sunday morning, the presidency said.
“The measure…
Colombia is the US’s third-largest Latin American trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $33.8 billion in 2023. US companies employ more than 90,000 workers in Colombia, particularly in the manufacturing and mining sectors.
The State Department will maintain visa restrictions and enhanced inspections until Colombia demonstrates compliance through successful deportation flights, according to Leavitt’s statement.
Petro initially shared Leavitt’s announcement, but as Axios notes, seems to have already rescinded or deleted it. Before the agreement was announced, he posted a lengthy statement on X denouncing Trump’s “blockade” and announced 50% retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
🚨 #BREAKING UPDATE: Colombian President Petro announces 50% tariff on American goods, says Trump's economic and diplomatic "blockade" does not "scare" him.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 26, 2025
"If you know anyone stubborn, that's me. I will die for my principles… I resist you."
Petro released a lengthy… pic.twitter.com/Mb2IZVd1RO
The agreement (or dispute on pause?) is the latest in a string of tensions with Latin American nations over Trump’s immigration crackdown, which he declared a national emergency upon taking office last week. Mexico recently refused US military deportation flights, while Brazil protested the treatment of its citizens during a commercial deportation flight.
Related: Trump’s Tariff Threat Is Back! 25% Tariff On Mexico, Canada By Feb 1
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