Trump Wins Deportation Agreement after Threatening Colombia with Tariffs
Colombia rescinded its blockade of deportation flights from the U.S. on Sunday after President Donald Trump threatened retaliatory measures, including tariffs and visa sanctions.
"The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay," a statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
🚨The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms pic.twitter.com/mQocusSGOC
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 27, 2025
Trump initially imposed tariffs and sanctions on Colombia on Sunday after its president Gustavo Petra refused to accept U.S. military aircraft carrying deported migrants but changed course later that evening. These measures included 25 percent tariffs on all Colombian goods coming into the U.S., which would increase to 50 percent in one week; a travel ban and visa revocations on Colombian government officials; and emergency treasury, banking, and financial sanctions.
I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people.…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 26, 2025
Additional measures included direct enhanced border inspections of Colombian nationals and cargo.
The White House statement explained that the drafted penalties on Colombia would be "held in reserve, and not signed unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement," it added.
"Today's events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump ...expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States," the White House statement concluded.
As Reuters reported, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo issued a statement confirming, "We have overcome the impasse with the U.S. government."
"The government of Colombia ... has the presidential plane ready to facilitate the return of Colombians who were going to arrive in the country this morning on deportation flights."
The statement added that Murillo and Colombia's ambassador to the United States are expected to travel to Washington this week to follow up on agreements that resulted in the exchange of diplomatic notes between the two governments.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Brandon Bell/Staff
Originally published January 27, 2025.
